Avgenakis: “Absolutely positive from the start for OAKA, the opposition is from the side of Giannakopoulos”

Lefteris Avgenakis, among others, was mentioned yesterday (04/19) in the case of the concession of the closed OAKA to KAE Panathinaikos.

In an interview he gave to “AthleticSport FM 104.2” and the show “Thyra 8”, the Deputy Minister of Sports blamed Dimitris Giannakopoulos for the issue, while also pointing out that there are still some issues that need to be settled.

His statements in detail:

“The opposition is from the side of Mr. Giannakopoulos, as we were absolutely positive from the first moment and remain in favor of the utilization of the closed by KAE Panathinaikos.

With article 44 of Law 4934/2022, the concession for 49 years to KAE Panathinaikos of the indoor gymnasium of OAKA, the areas connected to it as well as the P5 parking lot was voted. The article sets the general outline of the concession conditions and in accordance with this very provision, the signing of the relevant Convention must follow, which will specify all the issues in every detail, the so-called “secondary legislation”.

This Agreement not only contains the article of Law 4934/2022, but also a series of obligations on the part of KAE Panathinaikos, but also of OAKA, which were not included in the article of the law and excessively bind OAKA. These issues must be regulated in order to arrive at the final text of the Agreement to be signed.

More specifically in the text of the Agreement, details and conditions must be specified, so that the concession of the P5 parking lot for the exclusive use of the KAE does not hinder the operation of the rest of the sports complex (the football field, the Olympic Aquatic Center with the 12 swimming pools , the Cycle Track, the upgraded tennis complex, the athletics facilities, etc.). P5 cannot be cut off from the overall smooth running of the Olympic Complex. Also, the holding of other major events of the remaining sports should not be hindered.

In addition, a condition cannot be included that OAKA will repair the indoor basketball court, following a Technical Report of a private company chosen by KAE Panathinaikos, six months after the signing of the Contract! OAKA cannot sign “blindly” for projects that it will not know exactly what they will be, nor what their cost will be and with money that it has not budgeted for.

It was not possible to include in the Agreement a condition stating that OAKA will waive pending documents, claims and rights. On the contrary, any financial outstandings of KAE Panathinaikos towards OAKA must be regulated, a settlement made: We are talking about a remaining amount of 130,000 € concerning previous years’ use of the stadium by KAE Panathinaikos, for which OAKA had previously taken legal action, the first instance decision had been issued and the appeal is pending. In addition to these debts, the operating expenses for the use of the stadium by KAE Panathinaikos for the current season, 2022-2023, must also be determined and this amount, which is around €196,000, must be settled.

KAE Panathinaikos, I remind you, has already settled an amount of €297,000, which concerns an earlier debt. This amount has been set in 12 installments of €25,000 and there is a delay of three installments. We have the assurance of KAE Panathinaikos that in May the issue will be settled and all three overdue installments will be paid.

At the same time, another issue that needs to be settled is that in order to use the stadium, the Hellenic Basketball Federation (EEC) must notify KAE Panathinaikos six months in advance. However, the Federation cannot always know six months in advance the events of the groups of our National Teams. The notice period should be shorter, limited to three months.

These and a few more issues I am optimistic will soon be closed. Reason and transparency will prevail. We manage public property and do so with absolute responsibility. We operate as a single Government, always with the directions of the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

I respect the great history of Panathinaikos, but the order and assurance of both sides comes first. And of OAKA and KAE Panathinaikos, as it is a 49-year concession. In the last few weeks, there have been negotiations and moves to improve the terms and, as I said, I am optimistic about the happy outcome.”