Yesterday, Sunday, December 21, the Minister of Interior, Mr. Konstantinos Ioannou, and the Mayor of Ayia Napa, Mr. Christos Zannetou, inaugurated the Sports Activities and Healthy Activities Area, as well as the unveiling of two sculptures, “The Fountain” by the Greek artist Alexandros Baibourtidis and “Play, Music, Play” by the Ukrainian sculptor Inna Tkachivska, which adorn the area and the Sotiras Social Services Center. It was preceded by a Blessing by the Primate of the Holy Metropolis of Constantia – Famagusta, Archimandrite Mr. Augustinos Karas.
In his greeting, the Minister of Interior, Mr. Konstantinos Ioannou, expressed his joy at being present at the inauguration of a particularly important project for Sotira and the wider Famagusta region, emphasizing that it marks a new era for the Municipal District and the Municipality of Ayia Napa. He emphasized that the project is a typical example of modern European policy that puts the citizen and local communities at the center.
He referred to the financing of the project, with a total budget of 900.000 euros including VAT, which was implemented within the framework of the Cohesion Policy Program "Thalia 2021-2027", with 60% co-financing from the European Union, 25% from national resources and 15% from the Municipality of Ayia Napa. As he noted, the central objective of the project is to strengthen social, economic and environmental development without exclusions, offering the children and young people of Sotira a core of healthy employment, sports, recreation and social interaction.
The Minister also stressed that the Christodoulides government, through the Ministry of Interior, is consistently implementing a comprehensive policy of revitalizing local communities and creating sustainable, resilient and human- and environment-friendly cities. He congratulated the Municipality of Ayia Napa, the Mayor and the Deputy Mayors for their excellent cooperation and their continuous effort to produce work for the benefit of the citizens, assuring that the State will remain a constant supporter of such initiatives.
In closing, he expressed his certainty that the new space will be a point of reference for Ayia Napa and the wider Famagusta area, essentially contributing to a more qualitative and humane everyday life for citizens.
In his speech, the Mayor of Ayia Napa, Mr. Christos Zannetou, stated that the inauguration of the new space is not a simple infrastructure ceremony, but a conscious political and social choice to invest in public space, aiming at social cohesion, collective prosperity and sustainable local development.
He emphasized that the Municipality is delivering a modern, multifunctional space for sports activities and healthy employment, organically integrated into a broader network of social, educational and cultural infrastructure, creating a vibrant core of youth, learning and social care.
Mayor Christos Zannetou referred to the characteristics of the project, which includes a multi-purpose stadium, sports play areas for different age groups, outdoor exercise equipment, green and recreational areas. He stressed that the design was based on modern principles of urban planning, public health and social sustainability, with particular emphasis on safety, functionality and universal accessibility, so that the space is fully friendly and accessible for people with disabilities and reduced mobility.
He stressed the importance of co-financing by the European Union through the Cohesion Policy Program "Thalia 2021-2027", noting that European resources enable the implementation of substantial interventions that strengthen social cohesion, spatial balance and sustainable development.
Mr. Zannetou referred to the development interventions in Sotira, pointing out that, within the framework of the Local Government reform, coordinated projects are progressing such as the upgrading of the square, the coastal front, the Synikoism Park, as well as new interventions in infrastructure, road works and public spaces, with the aim of overall improving the quality of life.
He noted that the project constitutes an investment in the human capital of the place, especially in children and young people, and called on the residents to embrace, respect and utilize the new space. Stressing that the vision of the Municipality of Ayia Napa is to build a modern, resilient, inclusive and sustainable Municipality, which offers quality of life to residents and prospects for future generations, through cooperation, responsibility and strategic planning.
He thanked the Minister of Interior, Mr. Konstantinos Ioannou, and the relevant officials and associates for the support of the state, underlining that their presence confirms in practice the cooperation between the state and local government. At the same time, he recognized the contribution of the former Mayor, Mr. Georgios Ttakkas, and the then Municipal Council, who promoted the project with institutional consistency and strategic planning.
He also expressed his warm thanks to the Holy Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior for the long-term lease of the land and the substantial cooperation, noting that the partnership of institutions with a common goal of public interest creates lasting social value. At the same time, he thanked the Deputy Mayor Mr. Antonis Koumis, all the scientific, technical and service staff of the Municipality for their professional and responsible contribution to the implementation of the project.
For his part, the Deputy Mayor of the Sotira Municipal District, Mr. Antonis Koumis, pointed out that the project is the fruit of a collective effort and is part of the Municipality's vision for modern, humane and functional public spaces that upgrade the daily lives of citizens.
He referred to the delivery to the residents of a modern Sports Activities and Healthy Employment Area, at a key point in Sotira, emphasizing that the project is mainly aimed at youth, but is designed to serve all age groups, offering sports, recreation, green spaces and creative employment.
Mr. Koumis informed about the cultural enrichment of the area with the placement of two sculptures within the framework of the Ayia Napa International Sculpture Symposium, highlighting the connection between sports and recreation with contemporary artistic creation and the international cultural promotion of Ayia Napa.
He made special mention of the significant contribution of the Church of the Savior and the Holy Metropolis of Constantia-Famagusta for the concession of the land and their long-term support, as well as to Mr. Iakovos Koumis for the initial idea of the project. At the same time, he thanked the former Mayor and the former Municipal Council, the priests, the services of the Municipality, the researchers, the engineers, the contractor and all those who worked for its implementation.
Speaking on behalf of the Holy Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior, Father Stavros stated that the Church has always offered its spaces as a ministry of love to man, emphasizing that a park for children is an investment in the future because, as he said, children do not only need words, but spaces of freedom, play, fellowship and joy.
He wished that this space would become a place of rest, peace, creation and human communication, far from the loneliness and isolation of our time – filled with children's voices, smiles and beautiful moments.
During the event, commemorative plaques and gifts were awarded to the Minister of the Interior and to those who contributed to the implementation of the project, while free activities for children were also held, such as taking photos with Santa Claus, the presence of mascots and face painting, creating a particularly festive atmosphere.
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