It was with great pleasure that I accepted the invitation of the President and the Board of Directors of AEK Athens, to inaugurate the Sports Centre for Academies "Nikolaos Theodotou".
Before anything else, allow me to congratulate the management of the club for the initiative of naming the Centre, honouring the memory of its academy player, Nikolas Theodotou.
This decision is a recognition not only of his talent as a footballer, but also for young Nicola's ethics, kindness, consistency, patience and perseverance.
It is these characteristics that have allowed him to courageously fight any battle, and become a beacon of fighting spirit for anyone who is going through his own Calvary.
It is precisely these high principles and values, by which every man must walk, that his name will henceforth be imprinted on every child who fights on this field.
The Sports Centre that we are inaugurating today, I have no doubt that it will strengthen the upward trend that AEK Athens has been on in recent years, one of the most remarkable, I must admit, teams that play in our league.
An upward trend, which this year was accompanied by the success of participation, for the first time, in the qualifying round of the top intercollegiate football competition, UEFA Champions League.
I hope that the draw that took place today will be good, that the team will be strong.
At the same time, I cannot overlook the equally successful course recorded over the years by the basketball and football teams, as well as the distinguished presence in the CUP championships of all ages.
Allow me in this context to congratulate my dear friend, President Andreas Karapatakis, and the members of the Board of Directors, for the successful course of the sports departments of the team.
At the same time, I want to praise the initiatives they undertake, which, in addition to their own Association, contribute more broadly to the multifaceted development of sport in our country.
Suffice it to note that the Sports Centre that we inaugurate today, as well as the AEK Arena, which was a vision of the management, is comparable to the stadiums of top European clubs and is fully compatible with international operational standards and safety rules required by UEFA.
In this context, in addition to AEK Athens and our national teams, they fully serve the needs of other teams in the league and abroad, thus promoting sports tourism.
In addition to its construction on a piece of land owned by the Republic of Cyprus, AEK received funding from both the Cyprus Sports Organisation and the Deputy Ministry of Tourism for a total amount of 590 thousand euros.
As, of course, the State also supported the effort to build your excellent privately owned stadium, a real gem, with a contribution of two million euros.
In addition, furthering our and especially the Association's plans regarding the realization of privately owned pitches, the piece of land adjacent to the Sports Centre has been leased through the Cyprus Sports Organisation.
It is my understanding that you are looking forward to financial support from the State for the completion of the project.
I want you to be assured that, to the extent always within our financial means and particularly in view of the critical times that the world economy is facing, we will be at your side.
I will consult with you and the Minister of Finance to see what possibilities the State has to contribute to this noble effort that you are making. I want you to be sure of this.
As we have already proven, as in the past, we are on your side, as of course we are on the side of all clubs without exception.
There are many players, coming from the academies of AEK Larnaca who, in addition to their outstanding career in various teams, shine with their ethics and their participation in our national teams.
I am absolutely sure that the Sports Centre that we inaugurate today, as a new motivation and inspiration for even more young people to get involved in the sport of football, will be the new page of history for the Larnaca team.
A page that I am absolutely sure that they will write, exemplifying the ethos, dedication and self-discipline with which Nicolas Theodotou played in this and all stadiums.
In conclusion, I would like, once again, to congratulate the President and the members of the Board of Directors of AEK Athens for the naming initiative, but also because in difficult times of economic austerity, the administration succeeded in delivering sports facilities that truly honor our country.
At the same time, I would like to congratulate the athletes and fans of AEK Athens, who, by staying away from fanaticism, honour the history and the reputation of their team with their presence in the sports facilities.
I wish you good luck ahead of the UEFA Champions League, where I am absolutely sure that you will repeat yourselves by making history for Cypriot football.
(PM/EC)
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Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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