Press releasesOPAP Sports Academies Festivals: Big sports celebration in Kallithea with the participation of 850 children
The ninth big celebration of sport, under the framework of OPAP Sports Academies program, was held with great success and the participation of 850 children and 1.000 parents and chaperons in the Municipal Stadium of Kallithea “Grigoris Lamprakis” on Sunday, May 29th.
The festival was attended by 19 academies from the wider area of the municipalities of Attica, Dodecanese, Cyclades, Euboea and Lesvos: FSC Kamaterou, SG Vrilission, SU Kifisia, APA Od. Elytis Lesvos, SU Rhodes, SG Pansifnaikos Sifnou, PAS Naxou, Pammiliakos Milou, Olympos Gymnou Chalki Eretrias, SG Skyrou, Akadimia 94, SU Lilantiou, Amfissaikos 2006, SG Ermilios Anthidonos, Parnassos Arachovas, SG Mikrassiatikos Kaisarianis, SU Moschatou and Yiannis Pathiakakis.
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.
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 Kallithea offering valuable advice to the children. In particular, the event was attended by: Giorgos Fountoulakis, Christos Saloustros, Yiannoulis Larentzakis, Klelia Pantazi, Sofia Bekatorou, Maria Pervolaraki and Vaggelis Boukas. The President of the Greek Paralympic Committee Mr. Giorgos Fountoulakis honored the event with his presence.
OPAP organizes big sports festivals in ten cities around Greece. During the first nine festivals in Kallithea, Xanthi, Ioannina, Larissa, Argos, Katerini, Peristeri, Patras and Heraklion, OPAP has shared the joy of sports with 7.350 children and 11.850 parents and chaperons. The OPAP Sports Academies Festival’s journey continues with the last stop in Thessaloniki.