It is a great pleasure for me to be among you today at the award ceremony of the outstanding athletes.
An event, a celebration of sport, which for five decades honours and recognises the high and demanding effort of our athletes towards success.
At the same time, it highlights the contribution of sports players and their wider exemplary contribution to the field of sport.
It is in this context that I would like to congratulate and praise the members of the Cyprus Association of Sports Journalists for the organization of this event.
The observance of impartial and transparent procedures regarding the selection of excellence, elevate the institution to the highest degree of credibility.
Most importantly, the officials of the sports press, fully committed to the proper performance of their mission, have contributed over time through their positions and constructive criticism to the evolutionary course of Cypriot sport.
Evolutionary course which is confirmed by tonight's awards as well as the important individual and team distinctions of Cypriot athletes, but also the achievements of the Paralympians and athletes with special needs.
At the same time, the practical recognition of the deserved representation of our country in top competitions makes the competitive model of our athletes at individual and collective level a motivation and a source of inspiration.
And I would like to emphasize my particular satisfaction, since the development of sport in our country in recent years is the result of the priority we have given in this direction.
Recognizing that the strengthening of all our athletes and the further involvement and promotion of new talents, is an obligation and debt of the State, we have drawn up an organized plan for the holistic modernization and upgrading of sport.
Starting with the modernization of the operation of the highest sports authority, the Cyprus Sports Organization, which is the arm of the implementation of the policy of the State.
Aiming at identifying and exploiting young talents, we have strengthened the development programmes of the Cyprus Sports Organisation, while adopting performance schemes such as the talent and high performance grants, as well as the recent creation of the new plan to support young athletes with potential.
Of decisive importance in this direction has been the operation of sports schools, as well as the implementation of programmes such as, among others, that of "Secondary School Sport".
Seeking to enable athletes and championship coaches, at team and individual level, to devote themselves unhindered to their noble goals, we have supported their efforts through targeted actions.
Among other actions, I note that we proceeded with the formulation of a National Strategy for Sport, through the preparation of new sports legislation, which has been undertaken by the Cyprus Sports Organisation.
In addition, and as the long-standing demand of athletes, the New Professional Rehabilitation Plan for High Performance Athletes was adopted, while the subsidies for athletes, clubs and academies were increased. At the same time, we implemented the Code of Good Governance, in the context of which the controls of the federations were intensified, with the ultimate goal of managing their financial resources as correctly and efficiently as possible.
Equally important is the establishment of the Ethics and Sports Protection Committee, on the basis of the Law on the fight against the manipulation of sporting events.
Equally important is that we proceeded with the implementation of important sports infrastructure projects. Infrastructures which, by providing modern sports facilities, serving the needs of athletes, contribute to the multifaceted development of sport in our country.
Indicatively, from 2018 onwards, 70 projects have been completed or are underway in excess of 60 million euros.
Among them:
- The creation of the New Limassol Stadium.
- The creation of the New Limassol Stadium.
- The construction of the new Larnaca Tennis Centre.
- The total renovation and upgrading of the Nicosia Swimming Pool.
- The Football Stadium of Doxas in Katokopia.
- The football field in Kormakitis.
- The creation of a gymnastics training centre for the Byron Association in Larnaca.
- The opening of the Maronite Sporting Center in Lakatameia.
- The reconstruction of the GSP Athletics facilities.
- The start of the reconstruction of the Stelios Kyriakides Athletics facilities in Paphos.
What I have mentioned, as only part of the policy we adopt, is sufficiently indicative of the importance we attach to athletics and sport in general, a noble pursuit that keeps young people away from other non-beneficial pursuits.
And I am absolutely confident that on the basis of close cooperation of all relevant stakeholders, through suggestions, proposals and exchange of best practices, even greater successes will be achieved.
And I am absolutely confident that on the basis of close cooperation of all relevant stakeholders, through suggestions, proposals and exchange of best practices, even greater successes will be achieved.
And I am absolutely confident that on the basis of close cooperation of all relevant stakeholders, through suggestions, proposals and exchange of best practices, even greater successes will be achieved.
In conclusion, I would like to congratulate the awardees, as well as all the nominees in the various categories.
All of you, by putting your heart and soul into the playing fields, you contribute greatly to the progress of Cypriot sport that we all rejoice in today.
At the same time, by demonstrating distinctive ethics and commitment to the noble principles and values of excellence, fair play, fair play and the spirit of sportsmanship, you honour our country and its flag.
Once again I congratulate the Cyprus Association of Sports Journalists for the institution of the awards, which provides strong motivation to athletes at individual and collective level to continue with even more perseverance in their efforts.
And I am sure that tonight's event will be the trigger for even greater achievements.
I wish you all a good year, more successes, to keep our country proud as you have managed to do in recent years.
(PM/EP/EXP)
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Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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