Kallinikos Kreanga presented his thesis at S.E.F.A.A. Athens

The sweet result of a laborious effort, which this time had nothing to do with games at the tables, was experienced today 09/27 by Kallinikos Kreanga.

The eternally leading representative of Greek table tennis presented and submitted his thesis at the Athens School of Physical Education and Sports Science, receiving special joy and recognition.

It was about 2.5 years ago when, having significantly reduced his competitive obligations, he decided to consistently return to his School courses and put all the weight on reading. At 51.5 years old, he is on the way to his degree and today in the auditorium of S.E.F.A.A. of Athens saw the vindication of his own effort, but also the reward from professors and fellow students for the great goal, which he is realizing at this advanced age.

Our legendary athlete was admitted to the then TEFAA of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in 1994. From the period 1994-1995 and for some years he attended some courses and took part in examinations, but his heavy schedule in table tennis did not allow him either consistency in visits nor proper study. In the summer of 2021, however, he found the time and the motivation to go back to school, he decided to work professionally and he did very well…

The topic of his work was of lively interest and he also brings the vast knowledge he acquired, decades now, at the competitive tables: The “Theoretical Study of Claiming and Feasibility of Holding a Pan-European Table Tennis Championship in the city of Athens”. With the supervising professor, the person in charge of the course, Nikos Apostolidis, Kreanga presented in 52 pages how it can become possible and claim to hold such a top sports event in the Greek capital. Among other things, he mentioned in sections the industry of major sports events, the importance and purpose of research, the event case study, the planning of games and the multiple benefits of hosting them, the strategic financial plan, the claiming process, etc. .

When he finished the summary of his work, the man who changed the course of the sport in Greece, received warm applause and Professor Nikos Apostolidis emphasized: “Kallinikos deserves many congratulations, who at such an age and with so many competitive obligations did everything for to get his degree.” Also, Diana Zerdila, Physical Education teacher, responsible for the table tennis elective course at S.E.F.A.A. of Athens and former Greek Mediterranean and Balkan champion of the sport, added that “a huge athlete with 5 participations in the Olympic Games, with medals in the World and European championships and other great distinctions, managed to see things through another lens and talk to us about claiming and organizing important international competitions in our country”.

In this special moment for Kallinikos Kreanga, the director of administrative services of E.F.O.E.P.A. was also present. Stella Nikoloudakis. The process of the presentation of theses was organized by the director of the Sports Education Department of S.E.F.A.A. Konstantinos Noutsos.