Avgenakis holds first meeting with FIFA and UEFA representatives
Newly appointed Deputy Minister of Sport and Culture, Lefteris Avgenakis, recently held a meeting with officials from FIFA and UEFA as important topics were discussed.
Watch LIVE GREEK TV including full GREEK SPORTS coverage from AGONASport.com!
In early July, Avgenakis replaced Giorgos Vasiliadis as the Deputy Minister of Sport and Culture, with Kyriakos Mitsotakis becoming the new Prime Minister of Greece based upon results of the national elections.
Avgenakis held his maiden meeting with Zoran Lakovic and Petr Fousek - both FIFA and UEFA officials - during the week. One of the main topics discussed was the issue of the home stadium for the Greek national team. At the start of the year, it was confirmed that the Pankritio Stadium would become the permanent arena of the Ethniki Omada, but the venue is yet to host a single game.
Interestingly, UEFA had offered to fund the cost of an extra shelter which the Pankritio requires, but the Hellenic Football Federation (EPO) rejected the proposal and used the unpopular Olympic Stadium for the first two 2020 European Championship qualifiers instead.
Matters concerning violence and the workings of the EPO were also discussed in the meeting.
“It’s good that you don’t support any of the big four teams,” exclaimed Lakovic when speaking to Avgenakis. “No, everyone knows that I am a supporter of OFI,” replied the politician.
“By establishing a productive and honest partnership, we will achieve our common goal,” stated Avgenakis when speaking to the media after the event. “I am sure that we can improve our football culture so that families begin attending the stadiums again. We will work together well.”
MAVROTAS APPOINTED GENERAL SECRETARY OF SPORT
In other news, Giorgos Mavrotas was appointed as the General Secretary of Sport.
Mavrotas, 52, is a retired water polo player. As a professional athlete, he participated at the Olympic Games and World Championship, making a huge 511 appearances for the Greek national team (a record number for players of team sports in the country).
