The partnership between the Hellenic Olympic Committee and Local Government opens new avenues for sports activities and infrastructure throughout Greece.
With the need for more sports opportunities in every corner of the country as a focal point, the collaboration between the Hellenic Olympic Committee and local government marks a new strategic approach to strengthening of sports. The Deputy Minister of the Interior Vasilis Spanakis highlighted the importance of the initiative, emphasizing that the collaboration between institutions creates a strong network of actions, investments and interventions that can transform local communities into active hubs of sports development. As part of Olympic Day, the prospect of a broader partnership was presented, aimed at promoting sports for all, empowering young people, and creating modern conditions for sports throughout Greece.
The start of a new era of cooperation between the Hellenic Olympic Committee and local government was discussed by the Deputy Minister of the Interior, Vasilis Spanakis, at the workshop co-organized by the Hellenic Olympic Committee and the Union of Greek Regions (EN.PE.) on the topic “The Regions as a Pillar of Development for Greek Sports.”
The context
Mr. Spanakis, as part of Olympic Day—which he described as a “day of new beginnings”—welcomed the Olympic Committee’s initiative to forge “alliances” with local governments aimed at strengthening sports, highlighting issues concerning the sports community, and developing sports activities in local communities.
Specifically regarding the actions of the Ministry of the Interior, he emphasized that in recent years, the ministry has been implementing a clear policy for the creation, expansion, and development of sports facilities, in all local communities through the funding tools at its disposal, adding that this policy has resulted in 389 projects with a budget of 450 million euros.
He also referred to the prospects and opportunities created for local communities and local economies through the collaboration between the Hellenic Olympic Committee and local government, since, as he said, 345 “partnerships” are being formed with the country’s 13 regions and 332 municipalities.
““Opportunities for sports for all our fellow citizens, especially young people, are now multiplying and are being placed under the ‘protective umbrella’ of the Hellenic Olympic Committee,” he emphasized.
Mr. Spanakis noted that “a new chapter in sports history is being written starting today” and congratulated Olympic Committee President Isidoros Kouvelos on the initiative to sign a memorandum of cooperation with ENPE President Georgios Hatzimarkos.
