He characterized its construction as a just decision for a just case OPAP Arena The Sotiris Rizosduring his award at the brilliant event of cutting the cake of AEK veterans.
An award made by himself Dimitris Melissanidiswho stood by his former president’s input Council of State to address the major problems faced by the “Union” in its attempt to return to its historical headquarters.
“You honestly cannot understand, when we say Council of State, how you can mess up. One day the phone rings in the office and my secretary tells me it’s someone Rizos from the Council of State. I say “no one is kidding us”. I say “for my sake”. He says to me: “Mr. Melissanidis, I’m Mr. Rizos.” I say to him: “Just kidding, who are you?” And he says to me, “I’m Mr. Rizos, from the Council of State.”
And he came, we took the man, we brought him and he walked all over this field and he saw this dirt and garbage that they had there and the man said to us: “They don’t want this to be a stadium?”. And with his help, because I’ll say it, without Rizzo, believe me, we wouldn’t have a stadium. This man did everything to make us right in all the crazy problems they put us through. You know who and you know them all, don’t say it again. I personally thank you, Mr. President, and AEK will never forget you“, noted administrative leader of the doubleswho summed up his earlier words (in October 2022 during a press tour of the OPAP Arena), awarding the former president of the Council of State
In detail, the speech of Sotiris Rizos:
“I would like to say a few words to this circle of AEK’s closest relatives.
Things were relatively simple for us.
It was a fair decision for a fair case. The awarding of the Right is the duty of the judge, it is not an offer. In this sense, the price you give me may be an exaggeration.
I was convinced of the legal correctness of the decision taken. I was concerned with its historical justification. Whether a complex project entitled “Sports, Memory and Culture Center named after Agia Sophia” would be fully implemented, whether the project would be the faithful realization of the plan, approved by the Court. At the inauguration of this project, but also until today in its development and completion with its great cultural pieces, I have been convinced of this as well. It is a satisfaction that goes to the Court. And it is a reason for a thank you to those who did not leave the work unfinished, which is not unusual in our country.
The project brings it all together: the technicalities of football, the histories of the team, the aesthetics, the brilliance. And especially the memories. Each time I look at the words above the doors: Constantinople – the Queen, Smyrna, Sampsunda, Philadelphia, Cappadocia, Halicarnassus, Hadrianopolis, Chalcedon. And the shows, the black and white photos on the exteriors. Women in headscarves and children sprawled on the ground, next to train cars, boats with the same loads and underneath the words “THEY WERE PEOPLE They were not sacks”. Furthermore, a special presence. A stone image: The Mother, harsh figure, scantily clad, with three creatures. An infant in the arms, a toddler on the back, a girl by the hand. Protective and persecuted. From the relentless enemy, who always remains unchanged – despite the efforts of some to beautify him…. Below the words added by the creators of the project: “Eternal respect to the MOTHER of the refugee”. And not only to the Mother of the refugee but also to the eternal Mother, to the universal Mother. Enduring in History, mother – father, the indestructible couple is first mentioned in the 8th century BC. in Homer’s Iliad. Resistant even today to the attempts to deconstruct its role by unarmed legislators.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank you all for this offer – in the historical justification of the decisions of the Council of State – and especially the master craftsman, Dimitris Melissanidis, for his dedication to this project. For his unwavering stride forward, for faith and overcoming obstacles.
Thank you, too, because I also benefit: I am happy every time I come here, a non-sports fan, and I enjoy the aesthetics and the shine. I enjoy the joy and vitality of fans, boys, young and mature men. I am happy when I see the words and pictures above the doors. Which connect the Athletic Union of Constantinople with the losses but also the gains of the Nation. I hope you enjoy the project and the Team for a long time. Enjoy the victories and accept the defeats with a good mood, since both make up the charm of football and all team sports. All the best!»
Source: Sport Fm
I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
