The state is next to AEK and in all sports clubs without exception, said tonight the President of the Republic, Nikos Anastasiadis, adding that as far as the financial possibilities and taking into account the critical hours facing the world economy, will stand by the Sports Union Κίτιον.
In his greeting at the opening ceremony of the Sports Center of AEK Larnaca Academies "Nikolas Theodotou", the President of the Republic congratulated the management of the team for the initiative of naming the Center honoring the memory of the football player of its Academies and said that the relevant decision not only for his talent as a footballer, but also for the morale, kindness, consistency, patience and perseverance of the young Nikolas. It is these characteristics that allowed him to give courage to any battle and to become a beacon of struggle for anyone who goes through his own Golgotha ".
I have no doubt, he continued that "the Sports Center that we are inaugurating today, will strengthen the upward course of AEK, one of the most remarkable teams that play in our championship. An upward course, which this year was accompanied by the success of participating, for the first time, in the qualifying round of the top inter-club football organization, the UEFA Champions League ".
At the same time, President Anastasiadis said "I can not ignore the equally successful course recorded over time by the basketball and volleyball teams, as well as the distinguished presence in the KOP championships of all ages" and congratulated the President and the members of D .Σ. of AEK for the successful course of the sports departments of the team.
At the same time, he praised the initiatives they undertake, which, as he said, apart from the AEK Association, contribute more widely to the multifaceted development of sports in the country. "The Sports Center that we are inaugurating today, as well as the AEK Arena, which were a vision of the Management, are equal to stadiums of top European Clubs and are fully compatible with international operational standards and safety rules required by UEFA", while in addition to AEK and our national teams, serve the needs of other teams in the league, but also abroad, thus promoting sports tourism, he added.
After stating that "recognizing the benefits arising from the construction of the Sports Center, the State assisted in the implementation of this project" President Anastasiadis said that "in addition to its construction on a piece of land in the Republic of Cyprus, AEK received funding from both the Cyprus Sports Organization as well as the Ministry of Tourism totaling 590 thousand euros ".
He also noted that "the State also strengthened the effort to build the excellent privately owned stadium of AEK, a real gem, with a contribution of 2 million euros. In addition, promoting our further plans and especially of the Association, regarding the implementation of privately owned indoor stadiums, the plot of land adjacent to the Sports Center has been leased through the Cyprus Sports Organization ".
The President of the Republic in his greeting also said that the Association, for the completion of the project, looks forward to the financial support from the State and assured that "to the extent of the financial possibilities and especially taking into account the critical hours facing the world economy, we are by your side ".
He also said that there will be a consultation with the Association and "with the Minister of Finance, to see the possibilities that the state can contribute to this noble effort made by AEK and added that" as we have already proved in the past, we are now in your side, as well as next to all the Associations without exception ".
He also mentioned that there are many footballers, coming from the Academies of AEK Larnaca, who, in addition to their excellent course in various teams, "brighten with the morale, but also their participation our National teams" while he expressed the certainty that the Athletic Center, 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.
The President of the Republic also congratulated the athletes and the fans of AEK, who, he said, staying away from fanaticism, honor with their presence in the sports fields, the history and the reputation of their team.
At the same time, he wished AEK "good luck in view of the match obligations in the UEFA Champions League" where he expressed the certainty that he will repeat himself writing History for Cypriot football.
The ceremony began with a holy communion by the Metropolitan of Kiti Nectarios and was followed by greetings from the President of AEK Andros Karapatakis, the President of the Republic, and George Theodotou, father of little Nikolas.
Then, the President of the Republic and the President of AEK made the unveiling of a memorial column with the photo of Nikolas Theodotos and the commemorative plaque.
The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Health Michalis Hadjipandela, the Deputy Minister under the President Kyriakos Kousios, the Presidential Commissioner Fotis Fotiou, the Mayor of Larnaca Andreas Vyras, MPs, the Police Director of Aarnakos Larnaca and many athletes.
Source: KYPE