Shine and a family atmosphere at the awards ceremony of E.F.O.E.P.A.

In the warm and always familiar Amphitheater of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, EFOEPA held its annual awards ceremony and at the same time cut its New Year’s cake. They honored her with the presence of athletes, coaches, agents and referees, officials from other sports also attended, as well as representatives of the local government.

In this family atmosphere, the celebration was given a “shine” by the honors awarded to champions who connect the recent past with the present day of table tennis, as well as to persons who stood out for special reasons. Reference was made to the most important moments of the sport in 2023, optimism was expressed for creation and success in the Olympic year as well, while emotional moments were also recorded.

The event was presented by the general secretary and public relations manager of EFOEPA, Xenia Stathis, and the marketing director of the Federation, Nikos Grammenos.

The awards started with the men’s national team, which in Albena last September brought the country a gold medal from the Balkan championship again after 30 years. The awards were received by George Konstantinopoulos, Gerasimos Chatzilygeroudis and the federal coach, Sotiris Zikos, while the athletes Konstantinos Konstantinopoulos, Nikos Antoniadis and Tasos Riniotis were absent.

Then, the municipality of Orestiada was awarded for the successful organization of the Balkan Youth Championship. The Mayor, Vassilis Mavridis, could not attend and the award was received by his son, Iordanis.

The next awards were for two groups. Olympiakos, who won the men’s Europe Trophy 2023 in SEF, and Sarises Florina, who took second place in the women’s Europe Trophy 2023. The teams were represented by the coach Giorgos Christoforakis and the Florinian athlete Chryssi Fotiadou, respectively.

The moment of the awarding of the former champion of Greece, Maria Christoforakis, is special. Special because it was due to her wonderful development as a coach in Sweden, where she has lived for about ten years, and her current position in the country’s federation as responsible for the development of women’s table tennis.

The EFOEPA honored three of our female champions with European medals in the small categories “for their incomparable competitive offer and international awards”. Christina Fili (second in girls’ singles in Europe), Maria Moirou (the only Greek woman with two medals from European youth championships, bronze in girls’ singles and bronze in junior doubles) and Katerina Dulaki (bronze in junior doubles).

The most touching moment of the evening was the awarding of Olga Georgopoulos for her many years of contribution to the sport as an athlete and coach. The former international received warm applause “for the strength of her soul and the magic that distinguishes her”, as noted by Xenia Stathis.

It should be noted that Georgopoulou with Fili, Moirou, Dulaki, was in the historic rise of the National women’s team in the Super division of Europe in 2005 in Denmark.

This was followed by the awarding of three great names, who came from another country to “take root” in Greece, where they offered and offer a lot to the sport. The Federation honored Laura Nicolae, who also had European medals at young ages, just competing in Romania’s colors (most importantly the gold in the girls’ doubles). In addition to the award, she also received a large bouquet from Malamatenia Papadimitriou, who has been her player for years.

The long-time mainstay of the men’s national team, Daniel Cioka, was the next person to be honored. The current federal coach in Qatar could not be at the celebration and the award was received by Thomas Kousioris.

Of course, the legendary, the one and only Kallinikos Kreanga was also honored, for a special reason this time from his well-known achievements at the tables. After the Panhellenic Sports Press Association and the Hellenic Olympic Committee, EFOEPA also awarded him an honorary distinction on the occasion of his return to the Greek A1 after 28 years and the degree he received in 2023 at TEFAA.

A recent graduate and athlete at the same time, Elena Sofra completed her studies as a dentist. The former international at the young ages was awarded for this by the Federation and, of course, she received the award from the dentist and top Greek athlete, Panagiotis Gionis.

The Municipality of Salamina also received special awards for the excellent Panhellenic Youth Championship it organized last year.

Yiannis Vlotinos, the record holder of the Panhellenic titles in men’s singles with 14, was also awarded for his long-term and great contribution to the sport. The great international athlete was not present and the AEK coach, Kostas Madesis, received his award.

Chrysavgi Tsilopoulou received an award for Fair Play of the year. The athlete of PKD Tavros had indicated a “sori” (lucky point), with which the girls’ semi-final against Stella Mavromataki at the development Open of Patras was decided against her. The opponent had a match bowl in the fifth set with 10-9. In her attack, the ball just found the table.

“I didn’t see it… I heard it… I told it immediately to the referee and, if I could go back in time, I would do the same again,” said the athlete with emphasis to receive the prolonged applause.

In the last part of the event, the members of the Board of Directors gathered on the stage for the cutting of the New Year’s pie.