ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE OPERATION OF ICAS GREECE
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Athens, Wednesday 17 February 2018: at a central hotel at a press conference it was announced the foundation of ICAS Greece. |
ICAS Greece is the Greek section of ICAS International, the International Council of Amateur Sports, one of the largest independent amateur sport and culture organizations in the world.
The Press Conference of the newly established ICAS GREECE, was attended by Minister Mr. G. Tsironis, representatives of the Ministries of Sports, Tourism and Maritime Affairs, Mayor of city of Veria-Vergina, the President of the Municipal Council of Piraeus cityhall, presidents of Sports, Business and Tourist Federations and Associations, distinguished guests, celebrities of sport, social, cultural and business life of the country.
ICAS Greece aims to promote amateur sports in Greece through the organization of International Annual Sports and Cultural Events in collaboration and with the support of the ICAS WORLD and with the support of other institutional sports and social organizations in the country. It is estimated that a number of over 100,000 people will visit Greece every year to participate in more than 30 competitions. These competitions are to take place in several cities, so the athletes will enjoy the highlights of each of them.
The sports events wil be followed by a series of cultural events, international workshops, conferences, forums that will be related to the specificities of each city that will host the events.
At the press conference, Mr. Nikos Papadakos, President of ICAS GREECE, after he welcomed the distinguished guests, he developed the important role that ICAS has to play not only in the field of amateur sports but also in the touristic development of the country since the events that it organizes every year are expected to bring together hundreds of thousands of athletes, escorts and fans from all over the world, boosting tourism throughout Greece, especially in periods of low traffic.
The President of ICAS GREECE then thanked the Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Mr. Panagiotis Kourouplis, and the Minister of Tourism, Mr. Elena Kountoura, for the granting of the Auspices of their Ministries to the First World Swimming and open sea swimming games, which will be held in the first ten days of June in Athens. He also thanked the Minister and Deputy Minister of Culture and Sports Mrs Lydia Koniordou and Mr. Giorgos Vassiliadis for their support in that effort.
Vladimir Fomin, Secretary General of ICAS WORLD, a veteran swimmer himself, talked about the joy of amateur athletes coming from all over the world, competing for the common purpose that is no other than that of developing strong bonds of friendship .
The Minister for Rural Development and food, Mr. Yiannis Tsironis, expressed his enthusiasm for the ICAS idea. He pointed out that participation matters as he has also joined amateur competitions both as athlete and judge.
The Mayor of Veria, Mr. Virgosidis, assured the participants that the city is ready to host Handball Games and athletes from all over the world, as the city is the metropolis of greek handball.
The Chairman of the Municipal Council of the Municipality of Piraeus Mr. Davakis expressed his support to the open sea games that will take place in the city.
The President of the Panhellenic Association of Tourist and Travel Agencies of Greece, Mr Tsilidis, expressed the certainty that the country's tourist infrastructure, has the potential to responde at every challenge, providing high quality services.
The President of the World Federation of the Pangration, Mr Mazarakis, referred to the cultural dimension of the Games and the role that the country should play in the return of sport to its true amateur base.
Finally, ICAS Sport Coordinator Mr. Fylaktou announced the intention of the International council to support the vision of ICAS GREECE announcing also a series of sporting events in Cyprus.
The organizers finally announced some details for the forthcoming first International Swimming and Water Sports Games that will be held in OAKA, in the period 6-9 June 2018 and open sea games on 10 June such as the intention to hold Handball games in Veria during the last ten days of June.
Press Conference (photos)
