The eighth big celebration of sport, under the framework of OPAP Sports Academies program, was held with great success and the participation of 970 children and 2000 parents and chaperons in the Stadium Skoda Xanthi Arena on Sunday, May 15th.
The festival was attended by 14 academies from the wider area of the municipalities of Xanthi, Rodopi, Evro, Kavala and Drama: Aris Peteinos, SC Vistonida, Skoda Academies FC, Spartakos Ag. Theodori, Pontiakos SC Alexandroupoli, Kappadokon SC Alexandroupoli, MGS Ethnikos Alexandroupoli, Orestis Orestiada, Keravnos Krinidon Kavala, Doxa Amigdaleona Kavala, Kavala SU, Kavala SG, SC Orfeas Choristis Drama and PAOK Academy Komotinis.
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 Xanthi offering valuable advice to the children. In particular, the event was attended by: Christos Saltzidis, Maria Panagiotidou, Semi Rizaoglou and Michalis Ragousis.
OPAP organizes big sports festivals in ten cities around Greece. During the first eight festivals in Xanthi, Ioannina, Larissa, Argos, Katerini, Athens, Patras and Heraklion, OPAP has shared the joy of sports with 6.500 children and 10.850 parents and chaperons. The OPAP Sports Academies Festival's journey continues in Athens 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:
