It is indeed with great pleasure and emotion that I welcome you today at the Presidential Palace, at the event organized in honor of the athletes who have excelled in international competitions.
An event, which was instituted by a decision of the Government, as a minimum due praise and a token of gratitude on the part of the State to all of you who deservedly represent our country through your overall presence in the world's top sporting events.
And I am referring to your overall presence, since apart from your successes, you are also distinguished for the exemplary ethos that you demonstrate on a collective and individual level in every competitive participation.
It is in this context that today's honour to you is an expression of appreciation to all the athletes of our country.
As well as the same honour to your coaches, your gymnastics clubs, your federations and your families, who stand as your companions and supporters on your demanding path to success.
A journey that we are well aware of, during which intensive daily effort, systematic preparation and personal sacrifice are required.
A journey that you are pursuing with patience, perseverance, self-discipline and dedication, setting an example and a model of excellence for younger generations.
Recognizing that the strengthening of this effort is an obligation and debt of the State, we set as a priority the upgrading and development of Cypriot sport in all areas, including competitive, but also mass and social sport.
To this end, we have adopted an organized plan that focuses on the promotion and the effective support of talented athletes of our country, at team and individual level.
To this end, aiming at identifying and engaging children with competitive sports from an early age, we support the development programmes of the Cyprus Sports Organisation.
Of paramount importance to the utilisation of our sporting talents are also the performance plans of the Cyprus Sports Organisation, such as the talent grant and the high performance plan.
Also worthy of mention is the operation of sports schools and the implementation of programmes such as, among others, the "School Sports in Secondary Education".
In addition to this, the State has supported the efforts of championship-level athletes and their coaches, providing them with the necessary guarantees to achieve their goals.
To this end, by way of indication only, we have, among other things, proceeded to:
- The formulation of a National Strategy for Sport, through the preparation of new sports legislation, which has been undertaken by the Cyprus Sports Organisation.
- The adoption of the New Professional Rehabilitation Plan for High Performance Athletes.
- The adoption of the New Professional Rehabilitation Plan for High Performance Athletes. A debt owed by the State to our athletes, so that they feel that through the sacrifices, the disregard of a professional career that they could, if they were not involved in sports and championship, have pursued, a permanent professional occupation or rehabilitation is ensured with scales depending on performance.
- To increase subsidies for athletes, clubs and academies.
- To implement the Code of Good Governance, with a view to intensifying controls on federations and managing their financial resources as correctly and efficiently as possible.
-To the preparation of new criteria for the financing of sports organisations.
-To the institutionalisation of the Ethics and Sports Protection Committee, on the basis of the Law on the fight against the manipulation of sporting events.
-To the implementation of sports infrastructure projects. As an indication, from 2018 onwards, 70 projects have been completed or are still in progress, totalling more than 60 million euros.
What I have mentioned, as only part of the policy we adopt, is sufficiently indicative of the will and determination to shape a sporting event in our country that will give athletes and their coaches the opportunity to carry out their high effort under better conditions.
The above mentioned, as only part of the policy we adopt, is sufficiently indicative of the will and determination to shape a sporting event in our country that will give athletes and their coaches the opportunity to carry out their high effort under better conditions.
What I would like to assure you of is the full commitment and consistency of all competent bodies in the implementation of these plans.
Allow me to express my thanks to the Cyprus Sports Organisation, which as the supreme sports authority of the country is the arm of the implementation of the State's policy, as well as the CIOA, the Cyprus Olympic Committee and our national federations.
As a result of the close cooperation between them, and the efforts they make, our sport is today at the highest level ever.
On the basis of the close cooperation they develop with the competent Ministry, through the suggestions, proposals and exchange of best practices, I am sure that Cypriot sport will continue the upward trend which has been presented in recent years, achieving even greater successes.
On the basis of the close cooperation they develop with the competent Ministry, through the suggestions, proposals and exchange of best practices, I am sure that Cypriot sport will continue the upward trend which has been presented in recent years, achieving even greater successes.
Dear honorees, dear honorees, your presence alone in major international events places you among the global elite of your sport.
Beyond the distinctions, your commitment to the principles and values of fair play, fair play and excellence are the best ambassadors of our country. Characteristics that distinguish each and every one of you, giving us the certainty that we can expect even greater successes from all of you.
I wish you all the best both in your personal life and especially in your performance in sport for better days for our Cyprus.
(PM/EP)
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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