Greek government eyeing reform at EOK

New laws passed in the Greek parliament will force changes at the Hellenic Basketball Federation, but a defiant board could setup a legal showdown between the Greek government and the EOK.

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The Greek government and the Hellenic Basketball Federation (EOK) could be set for a legal showdown as the EOK look to appeals laws passed in the Greek parliament.

Deputy Minister for Sports, Lefteris Avgenakis, is making no friends at the EOK with his mission to reform the federation after years of stagnation. Long-time president Giorgos Vassilakopoulos has been the main target of Avgenakis’ crusade as recent laws passed in the Greek parliament have been passed to encourage more regular turnover at the EOK.

The laws are primarily focused on how long one person can serve on the board of the EOK, with Presidents limited to three full or part terms. Vice Presidents, Secretaries, and Treasurers are limited to just two consecutive terms under this new law with a third term allowed only if two years have elapsed since the end of the member’s second term.

There is also a restriction on the age of EOK Presidents with the law not allowing individuals over the age of 71 to seek election, while other positions on the board have an age restriction of 74.

The law hasn’t been received well by Vassilakopoulos who is currently serving the ninth year of his second term having previously served as EOK President from 1998-2002. Vassilakopoulos, 80, is expected to lead the charge to appeal the law which could see the EOK caught up in a long legal battle with the Greek government. Vassilakopoulos and his fellow EOK board members are expected to challenge that the law is unconstitutional.

Vassilakopoulos has already spoken critically of Avgenakis after the EOK’s push to host one of next summer’s Olympic Qualifying Tournaments was shut down by the Greek government over financial reasons.

The new law doesn’t take effect until after the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo so there runs the risk of a distraction for the Ethniki during qualifying for both the Olympics and EuroBasket 2021.

While it remains to be seen if and when the EOK might undergo any sort of reform, it will be interesting to see what any sort of reform will do for Greek basketball. The laws passed, although opposed by the EOK, will likely offer a more constructive environment at the EOK after recent elections for any board positions were simple formalities for reelection.

With the EOK expected to invest a lot of time to oppose any sort of reform, Vassilakopoulos and his colleagues have the obligation of steering Greek basketball back to glory on all levels. It would be an utter shame if the EOK remains distracted from the results on the court especially with a talent like Giannis Antetokounmpo willing to don the jersey of the Ethniki.

by Peter Katsiris

Image Source: to10.gr

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