The problems arising due to the temporary housing of federations, associations and athletes training at the “Spyros Kyprianou” sports center in Limassol, due to the upcoming renovation of the stadium in view of the organization of FIBA EuroBasket 2025 were put on the carpet on Wednesday during the session of the Parliamentary Committee on Education and Culture.
The Chairman of the Committee, Member of Parliament of DIKO, Pavlos Mylonas, stated that “we are faced with the difficult situation of trying to find (facilities) for hundreds or thousands of children and athletes of all the federations and volleyball associations of Salamina and AEK Karavas and that they do not have space to continue their activities and training. This is Cyprus,” he said.
He added that they “promised in October 2023 to hold a meeting both for and against”, noting that the Cyprus Sports Organization (CSO) and the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth “did not act as they should”.
“You understand that it does not honor us as a state to wait until the last minute to find solutions”, said Mr. Mylonas, noting that assurances were given by the CMO that solutions will be found for all federations and unions .
DISY Member of Parliament, Giorgos Karoullas, stated that it is an urgent need for the “Spyros Kyprianou” indoor stadium in Limassol to be modernized and upgraded to host the 2025 European basketball tournament, as was decided by the previous Government.
< p data-block-key="cbn6v">At the same time, he continued, it is equally serious and imperative that athletes from the five confederations and the four clubs affected are not left without training space. He added that they include Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
He noted that it is the duty of the CMO and the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth to find the best solutions quickly. The issue, said Mr. Karoullas, is a matter of fair treatment of the athletes and special spaces must be found for each federation and each union immediately. Mr. Karoullas pointed out that the CMO and the Ministry of Education must respect the needs of the athletes, on the eve of the Olympic Games, and provide solutions that satisfy them.
“As DISY we will monitor these days and we will expect realistic solutions to the scheduled, as announced to us, schedules that satisfy the needs of each athlete. We are ready to intervene where and where necessary for the definitive settlement of the issue,” he concluded.
AKEL Member of Parliament, Andreas Kavkalias, stated for his part that Cyprus took responsibility for a major organization of the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 group. “We are not considering this decision today. What we are looking at are the problems created by the federations and associations that use the premises of the 'Spyros Kyprianou' indoor stadium in Limassol, which will be closed for improvements and renovations for the needs of the event,” he said.
He added that these unions and federations are at risk of being homeless saying that “it is clear in our perception, that there was bad planning, obstruction, by the competent authorities, by the Government, by the CMO”.
He expressed the hope, even at the last minute, that solutions would be found so that the federations would not be left “hanging” noting that last minute solutions were never the best option.
The Member of Parliament of DIPA-Cooperation, Alekos Tryfonidis, said that “unfortunately, once again we are in front of an orgy of irresponsibility by many actors and decision-makers, as a result of which the Council of Ministers on January 4, 2024 approved a budget of approximately 13 million euros including VAT for the upgrade of the stadium, which should be finished in July 2025.”
He added that this upgrade forces federations and unions out of the stadium at the end of May noting that within the Committee it was reported that approximately 400 child-athletes will be out of competitive action.
“Efforts are being made to find other venues for each federation, but also for the volleyball teams such as Salamina and AEK Karava”, said Mr. Tryfonidis, noting that despite the efforts being made, it is difficult to find halls mainly for some sports where they are used specific instruments and equipment.
Mr. Tryfonidis stated that he is not opposed to the idea of building a stadium for EuroBasket 2025 from scratch, so that it “stays in Cypriot sports and there is no inconvenience”.
In the plenary session the budget of the University of Cyprus
Moreover, Mr Mylonas asked about the budget of the University of Cyprus and whether there was a conclusion to the debate, Mr. Mylonas replied that the budget will be before the Plenary of the House tomorrow, for a vote, indicating that there will be many amendments by many. “They will come to the Committee (the representatives of the University of Cyprus) to inform us about their expenses,” said Mr. Mylonas.
Questioned about the TEPAK budget and the fact that it has not yet been filed before the Education Committee, Mr. Mylonas mentioned that the twelfth semesters for TEPAK are now ending and he wondered “how will they be paid?”. He added that the information available is that the budget is in the Legal Service for processing.
Source: KYPE
