“An integral part of Education”, the Minister of Education, Religion and Sports, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, described school sports in his message to students and teachers, on the occasion of tomorrow’s Panhellenic and European School Sports Day.

Mr. Pierrakakis pointed out that school sports teaches “to persevere, to improve, to overcome limits and obstacles” and above all “respect for our neighbor – teammate or opponent – and for his own effort”.

As he pointed out, school sports are also part of the answer to modern challenges. “From childhood obesity prevention to anti-bullying and from developing social skills to balancing the physical and digital realms, school sport helps build good habits and well-rounded personalities,” it said.

Finally, he called the Greek Olympians and Paralympians “a source of inspiration”. “Their dedication to what they have chosen to do – and this is a lesson beyond sports – is an attitude of life for all,” he noted.

The following is the message of the Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports:

“Dear students, dear students,

Dear and dear teachers,

The 11th Panhellenic & European Day of School Sports has as its mission to give every student motivation and stimuli in order to include exercise in their life. This year’s motto is “Sporting Together”. We give quality to Life” encompasses not only the benefits, but also the values ​​of sport: noble competition, fair competition, solidarity and cooperation.

School sports is an integral part of Education, because it teaches us to persevere, to improve, to overcome limits and obstacles. Mainly, though, because it teaches us respect for our neighbor – teammate or opponent – and for his own effort. It is a universal language that teaches us to take care of our body, spirit and those around us.

School sport is also part of our response to modern challenges: from the prevention of childhood obesity to the fight against bullying and from the development of social skills to the balance between the physical and digital spheres, school sport contributes to the formation of good habits and complete personalities.

I would like to make a special mention to our Olympians and Paralympians, who distinguished themselves both for their performances and for their presence more broadly and whom we will have the pleasure and honor to award at the central event in Athens for this year’s Panhellenic & European School Sports Day. We reward children who, through hard work, deprivation and endless hours of training, raised the Greek Flag high and showed the best face of our country to the whole planet.

Their example is not only a source of inspiration for those who wish to engage in sports, but for all of us. And this because their smile, this smile that has given us so much joy, stems from their love for the field to which they dedicate their talent and effort. So more than any medals, what makes our Olympians and Paralympians successful is their dedication to what they have chosen to do – and this is a lesson beyond sport: it is an attitude to life for all.

With these thoughts in mind, I urge you to celebrate the 11th Panhellenic & European School Sports Day by participating in the actions of your schools. Most of all, however, we can and should celebrate this day by putting sports in our daily lives, with the goal that in a year from today we will be here again, as the best version of ourselves».