Clear position in favor of Double Regeneration by Malakate: “Logic says Botanist”!

Suggestion in favor of Double Regeneration will do President of Panathinaikos Amateur, Takis Malakates, as he stressed in a press conference. As he characteristically said, “… the emotion says Avenue, but the logic BotanicalAnd explained why he finds this perspective advantageous. The last reason, of course, belongs to Amateur General Assembly, which will meet to decide in February.

«When I was asked how I decided to download the ballot, I said that the feeling of logic prevailed. In life you come to a crossroads and you have to make a decision. She will characterize you for the rest of your life. With a lot of reflection, we decided in our personal assessment to suggest to the ruling body in favor of the Double Regeneration, considering that this agreement is on the positive side. An agreement that gives our Panathinaikos to have modern, functional, the largest sports facilities and the autonomy to be powerful in racing. Logic from emotion prevailed. The sentiment clearly says Avenue, but I am personally convinced that very little can be done to rebuild the Avenue. No administration of great and eminent people has succeeded so far. I have not seen any documented alternative creation proposal that is workable and realistic. Even if there were, no one would easily dare to demolish the Avenue with the prospect of rebuilding it, at the risk of doing what New Philadelphia does. The renovation is an existing opportunity to increase the capacity on the Avenue to 20-22 thousand, but PAO can do little to gain that way. Our divisions that want to be competitive would look for headquarters every year. Logic says Votanikos, for all the reasons I mentioned: the sports facilities, the football field, our financial independence, our museum in our physical headquarters. Let us not forget that Votanikos belongs to our Municipality and we are not talking about today, but about tomorrow, for 30-40-50 years“, Said Takis Malakates.

Before announcing his presentation, Mr. Malakates had said:

«In my life I have learned to speak dombra, starata and without rounding. I mentioned the red lines that I had set: 1) that the new facilities belong to the Amateur for life, 2) to house all of Panathinaikos, PAE and KAE, in Votanikos, 3) the new facilities to meet the specifications we have set, 4) the Avenue to be demolished when all our facilities are fully received and with the operating licenses and 5) the final decision to be taken by the General Assembly. We wanted to bring the best possible agreement to the General Assembly. We had to try to achieve as much as we could. After the first investigative contact with the Mayor, we formed a coordinating committee with me, Mr. Branopoulos, Mr. Pavlopoulos for legal and Mr. Akritidis for technical issues. The contracts, the models, the annex with the budget are in their final phase and have almost been agreed. We will post them on our websites logically until the end of January, in a long time until the General Assembly. The contract with PAE will be published in time by those in charge».

On the basketball court he said: «Despite our initial efforts, we were not able to integrate the OEM basketball court, because it was contrary to the existing presidential decree and would jeopardize the Double Regeneration by entering a vicious circle of appeals, delays and possible abolition. We insisted on the construction of a basketball court on an adjacent plot of land that the Municipality of Athens would buy, would build at its own expense, then granting the use and exploitation to the OEM. In the one and only meeting of the Mayor with Mr. Giannakopoulos, it was obviously found that the solution was not favorable for the OEM and it was abandoned. In this particular part, although we violated the red lines for a Panathinaikos state, we had no other choice if we wanted the Double Regeneration to take place.».

He then referred to the points that he considers positive for the club:

-We are granted free use of the facilities at the Botanical Garden, the football field and the museum of dressing room and restaurant for 99 years. Practically this is forever.

-First we will pick up all the facilities at the Botanical Garden and then we will deliver the Avenue.

-Through the contract with PAE we agreed that the Amateur in return for the concession of use of the football field to receive the amount of 500,000 euros per year, adjusted every five years, additional bonus for participation in European competitions, but also for PAE to fully bear the running costs, plus and guarding the stadium.

-The Amateur ensures the commercial use of the museum, lounge and restaurant on the Avenue, the commercial uses of the canteens and their naming, except for the football field and the underground parking lots.

-The Panathinaikos Athletic Club is expected to have annual revenues: from a membership card of 1.5-2 million, from a contract with PAE 500,000, season tickets, tickets, etc. 250-500 thousand, sponsorships of 500 thousand to 1 million. The conservative revenue scenario amounts to at 2.75 million euros, the optimistic at 4 million the realistic and now possible 3-3.5 million euros. I do not mention at all the income from academies whose surplus we cover the expenses from less popular sports, nor from the taxation of the bets which constitute a significant income.

– The annual budget of the departments amounts to 1.6 million euros. You understand the dynamics that the club will have with its financial launch. Through the membership card it will acquire 15-20 thousand members that ensure further development.

PAO will have the best facilities for its departments. If you ask me I would say that we would need bigger and more rooms, for our Panathinaikos, with 21 competitive divisions and 17 disabled divisions. But no matter how many rooms we got, our needs would be bigger.

-In the area of ​​the Avenue and in an area of ​​680 square meters, museum of our Panathinaikos lounge-restaurants and use of 15 parking spaces.

-In the Botanical football stadium of four stars, approximately 38,000 seats, the largest in the country after OAKA.

-At the 3,100-seat handball-futsal Botanical Stadium, where volleyball, handball, basketball, wheelchair basketball teams will compete and can be converted into an instrumental gym.

-Outdoor swimming pool of Olympic dimensions with a shelter of 500 seats, where the men’s and women’s polo sections will compete.

-Sports training of volleyball / basketball dimensions, mainly for the academies, 200 places with the possibility of holding games and events.

Underground parking for 125 places, offices of the association.

-Training centers for individual competitions.

-All sports venues will be fully equipped.

«All the above are important for the facilities and for the financial independence of PAO. Our initial intentions were for the property to belong to PAO. Since we did not succeed, we demanded that there be an explicit mention that we are transferring all our rights to the two regeneration areas and we succeeded. It is explicitly stated that first we will receive ready to use and then the Avenue will be delivered. The costs of maintenance and storage, a ceiling of 180,000 euros was included, there was a point of friction but it covers us completely.

Despite our disagreements, the government passed a law that gives us 15% of the gross receipts from the plates for only 15 years. We asked for the amendment to be valid for 99 years. We managed to amend the law, initially for 49 years and with the right of extension. “Never before has anything been granted extended to perpetuity.”

He went on to say: “I hear them say that we will leave the Avenue to go for rent. This does not appear. On the contrary, we will receive. What did we not manage to do? To have commercial uses on the football field. Does it currently receive revenue from commercial uses on the Avenue or as long as it was in OAKA? The PAE with the contract in Votanikos will pay an amount that will be agreed to have the exploitation. Her expected income will be more than what she will give».

Closing announced the General Assembly for the end of February or the beginning of March at the latest. «Whatever we considered to be of substantial benefit, we accomplished, overcoming the difficulties. We tried to ensure the maximum result for the club and I believe that we achieved it. I respect every decision of Panathinaikos, member or non-member. We want the General Assembly to be as representative as possible. That is why it will be done with a physical presence for those who are allowed. If there is no delay, the General Assembly will take place in the second half of February, with the most prevalent dates being March 21st and 28th and less likely March 8th. We will respect in any case the decision of the General Assembly. The world of Panathinaikos is the final judge».

At the same time, he made it known that will re-claim the presidency. «Also, regardless of the decision of the General Assembly, I declare my intention to download a ballot paper in the elections that will take place at the end of May and the beginning of June in order to continue our work. We want to contribute to the launch of our Panathinaikos».

Regarding the reactions from some fans, he said: “Everyone has their views and will express them. I think their reasons are mainly emotional. If the Double Regeneration is rejected, we will have to see what happens next».

A spokesman for Gate 13 asked who would be charged for the maintenance costs of the stadium if the football team probably decides to leave Votanikos. «Reverse the question? If PAE leaves the Avenue, who will cover the maintenance costs? We need to know the reasons he will leave. Other bodies are also involved in Votanikos, it is not so easy for a stadium that was built for PAE to leave. If he leaves, he will have to renegotiate with the Municipality so that PAO will not be burdened with expenses that he cannot face».