PAFOS, November 8, 2023 - For the first time in nearly 15 years and following last year's rebirth at Crete, Greece, the Cyprus Sports Writers Association (EAK) hosted, between 31 October and 2 November, the 34th Conference of the Cyprus and Greek Sports Journalism Associations (PSAT).
The conferences, organized by the associations of sports journalists of both countries, have taken place annually since 1982, with the financial crisis of the previous decade putting an end to its staging. But in 2022, EAK and PSAT restarted the conferences, with 2023 being Cyprus’ turn in hosting.
The 34th Conference took place in the town of Pafos with more than 100 attendees present, among them a delegation of twelve from Greece, led by PSAT president Yiannis Theodorakopoulos. Three Turkish Cypriot sports journalists attended as well, led by their newly elected head Necati Ozsoy.
THE TOPICS
The conference touched various topics, such as the state of journalism in Cyprus and Greece, the coverage of women’s sport by the Media and the history behind the 7-year participation of Cypriot football clubs in the Greek football league in the 60s and 70s. Also, a panel with the participation of top Cypriot athletes took place, with Kyriakos Ioannou (athletics), Irodotos Giorgallas (artistic gymnastics), Sokratis Pilakouris (artistic gymnastics) and Alexandros Zisimides (rowing) attending. The upcoming participation of Cyprus and Greece at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris was presented.
Among other subjects, the conference also examined the UEFA Euro U17 2024, and the Eurobasket 2025 events which will be hosted in Cyprus and the status of sports tourism in the region of Pafos.
Co-organizer of the Conference were the Cyprus Sports Organization (CSO), with its president Andreas Michaelides attending all three days of the event. The Cyprus Olympic Committee supported the event. Sponsors were OPAP Cyprus and Cytavision. The event was also supported by Anemi Hotel, Pafos Municipality and the Tourism Board of Pafos Region.
The Cyprus Sports Writers Association also thanked its annual sponsors for their support. OPAP Cyprus, Cytavision, Unicars, Bank of Cyprus, Hercules Trophies, Psaltis Auto Parts, CNP CYPRIALIFE, Alphamega, Carlsberg.
4TH JOURNALISTS AWARDS
Along with the 34th EAK-PSAT Conference, the 4th Sports Journalists Awards also took place on the first day of the event, on Tuesday 31 October. The winners in the seven categories of the Awards were:
"Photography Football"
Winner: Marios Gregoriou
Runner-up: Giorgos Michael
"Photography Sports"
Winner: Constantinos Kyprianou
Runner-up: Kostakis Savvides
"Photography Away from Action"
Winner: Michalis Kontogiorgis
Runner-up: Anastasia Karekla
"Editorial"
Winner: Andreas Apostratos
Runner-up: Charalambos Parpettas
"Feature Article"
Winner: Dimitris Yiokkas
Runner-up: Christos Theocharous
"Interview"
Winner: Theodoros Combos
Runner-up: Marios Polydorou
"Audiovisual"
Winner: Savvas Pilakoutas
Runner-up: Voris Karayiannis
In addition, EAK awarded the “Press Office Award” to the Cyprus Athletic Federation’s Press Office for their exceptional coverage of the "Budapest 2023" World Athletics Championships. The "Media Facilities Award" went to “Alphamega Stadium” for its outstanding hospitality and facilities provided to sports journalists.
Honorary distinctions were given to Akis Hadjikyriakou, Nikos Germanos, Christos Zavros, Andros Evagorou, Lakis Antoniades, Petros Melaisis, Leontios Hadjivasilis, and the late Takis Tsamados, who were pioneers of sports journalism in Paphos. Also, to the contributors to the CyBC program "Sports Panorama" with journalist Andri Kasapi and producer Marinos Yiannaki, a program which is supported by the CSO, to Fevzi Beyar as the first Turkish Cypriot registered with EAK and for his contribution in bringing together the two Cypriot communities, and Athos Papamichael, for making a spot in the Guinness World Record book possible for Apollon Ladies FC, for their 80 consecutive wins between 2008 to 2014.
Also, Andreas Lazarides, Pambos Stylianou, and Akis Kyriakou were awarded distinctions for their literary work.
