OPAP Sports Academies Festivals Big sports celebration in Patras with the participation of 1.050 children
The second big sports celebration, under the framework of OPAP Sports Academies program, was held with great success and the participation of 1.050 children and 1.800 parents and chaperons in Panpeloponnesian National Stadium of Patras on Sunday, February 21st.
The festival was attended by 11 academies from the wider area of the municipalities of Achaia, Ilia, Aetolia-Acarnania and Kefalonia: Niki Proastiou, Davourlis K.92 Patras, Thyella Patras, Dias Athetlic Club, Patras 2005 Athletic Union, Thyella Aegio, Academia Mesologi, Ekosi-Mias Kefalonia Athletic Club, Pallixouriakos Kefalonia, Daphne Andravidas and Thyella Katarachiou.
In accordance with the philosophy and values of the Sports Academies program, all activities during the festivals focus in the most enjoyable of ways on the values that make up the athletic ideal, especially fair play, respect, ethics and teamwork. The young athletes participate in teamwork and football skills games, games-courses on nutrition issues and an experiential activity during which they practice sports as Paralympic athletes. At the same time, parents and chaperons attend seminars and speeches by the members of the specialized scientific team of the program on psychology, nutrition and first aid issues. Also, the coaches of the academies attended a coaching seminar by the head of the program’s coaching team and assistant coach of the National Football Team, Kostas Tsanas.
A team of sports ambassadors from Olympic and Paralympic sports with significant distinctions for their ethos, respect towards their co-athletes and fair play attended the Festival in Patras offering valuable advice to the children. In particular, the event was attended by: Sophia Alikanioti, Nikos Argyropoulos, Makis Georgaras, Ioanna Kravarioti, Giorgos Lazarides, Kostas Denopoulos, Minos Stamatis, Dimitris Tsordias and Vasilis Fermelis.
OPAP organizes big sports festivals in ten cities around Greece. After the first two stops in Heraklion, Crete (February, 14th) and Patras, OPAP has already shared the joy of sports with 1.880 children and 2.850 parents and chaperons. The OPAP Sports Academies Festival’s journey continues in Athens, Katerini, Larissa, Argos, Ioannina, Xanthi and Thessaloniki.
OPAP Sports Academies
OPAP Sports Academies is an innovative program that supports 125 amateur sports academies from around Greece in which more than 10,000 children of 7-12 years old participate. With its central moto being “Athletes Today –Better People Tomorrow”, the program’s goal is to attract even more children and promote the educational and entertaining role of sports, contributing to laying solid foundations for the future of sport in Greece.
The academies that participate in the program enjoy the benefits of an integrated educational program that includes:
- Scientific support by specialized pediatricians, child phycologists and nutritionists
- Age-appropriate coaching directions, according to UEFA and FIFA international standards
- High quality sports gear
- Insurance coverage during training and games, as well as one hour before and after
- Participation in football tournaments with an educational and entertaining profile
Please find more information on the “Sports Academies” program and the festivals by following the link below: