The former leader of the National and record holder thanked everyone who collaborated: "I want to thank all those who worked in the federation for a long time, Marios Lefkaritis and for a long time, Kostakis Koutsokoumnis. They were all a great force for me. I also want to thank all my coaches, Takis Charalambous, Paniko Georgiou, Stavros Papadopoulos, Vukotic, Anastasiadis, Nioplia. For the National Armed Forces, Mr. Michailidis. To thank all my teammates, I met great personalities. He was and always will be in my family. I would also like to thank the media because with your good faith criticism, together we wanted to make the National better ".
For his decision to leave: "I wanted to end our national team's friendly with Serbia first and then finish what I started. August marks the start of a two-year World Cup qualifier. My decision was difficult because 15 years is too much. You know very well that I was in the National soul and body 100%. I officially stop today because I do not want to start the qualifying effort and not be able to finish it. I considered this right for both me and the National Team ".
For what the National means: "I always came to the National with a thousand and I closed my ears to what I was listening to. My decision was very honest and I hope you all understand why I do it. Continuing in the National and making my participations 110-112 was not what played a role. I like to always be a winner and a winner does not mean to lead the National to the finals of an event. The winner for me is the one who comes to the National and forgets everything else and dedicates himself to it. I leave with my head held high, through the four we received and the eight, I feel proud. We never went back and I say that with pride. I am proud to have worn the Coat of Arms and honored it with all my might. Thanks to my family for being my sponsor in this endeavor. In the National we gave a lot, but we got a lot more. "Many made transfers, fame, money and I am one of them."
For the fact that his presence would help in the locker room: "Certainly the experience part would be important, but since I could not finish I thought I had to stop. "Whoever comes to the National Team must be able to perform 100%".
For the best goal: "It was what I put in the Coupe in the game against France in the GSP. It will not be unforgettable not only because of the beauty of the goal but also because it was against a huge team with many stars ".
For the world: "There must be a national conscience and we must love our country with its good and bad. It will always be difficult but it does not mean that we should not love the National. The last armband I wore was on 11/10/11 with Norway and I will give it to charity, for a friend of APOEL who is suffering from cancer. With this act, I want to show that the National is above all and not the teams ".
For his part, the president of KOP, Kostakis Koutsokoumnis stated: "Every so many years you suppress the flag and look for the next one. Giannakis Okkas was an honor for the National Team of Cyprus and for all those who met him. He was a professional in football. He was a man who put his family above all, and his family above all himself. He was a friend, so I thought his conference would be incomplete if I was not present to say goodbye to him and to put down the flag together and look for the next one. Friend Giannis, I wish you all the best, I hope that after Anorthosis you will play football and the doors of the federation are always open for you ".
The president of the National teams, Haris Loizidis, stated: "I want to convey the best wishes to Giannis and his family. I took over the presidency of the National Teams four years ago and he was one of the people who helped me on several issues. We had a very close collaboration and through Giannis we had a good contact with the whole group of footballers who are invited to the Nationals. I want to thank him and on behalf of the coach, I want to wish Giannis all the best, he still has some years to play football. Our goal is to keep the doors of the federation open for future cooperation with footballers who offered a lot to the National Team. To thank Andrea, wife of Giannis who stood by him all these years ".
Source: Shoot and Goal