Tsiligiri: “The SEF is changing with the return of the national team – The air conditioning problem is solved”

To improve his image CHEFthe solution to the issue of air conditioning in view of the Pre-Olympic Tournament, but also the following day at the stadium, the president of the stadium spoke, Christina Tsiligirion EEC Web Radio.

For the works at SEF ahead of the Pre-Olympic Games: “It was a big challenge. We have been racing since January to be able to accomplish this great task which is called pre-Olympic. I have to say a big thank you to all colleagues from the EEC for the cooperation and help they have provided to human resources. I want to say that among the people who cooperated and helped for the final result are the people from KAE Olympiacos, because they also helped with human resources and in the process of rebuilding the dressing rooms and in the painting process and in the repairs that were needed by all the spaces. We had the undivided real help from KAE as well”.

For the air conditioning in SEF: “The big bet was to be able to maintain a temperature, so that the games could be held below 25 degrees, which we achieved, although the competition that we started in January was not completed. We managed to achieve a big goal, which is not a visual one, but a sense of the space for the athletes primarily, as well as the spectators of course, with air conditioning units rented until the competition is over. We believe this will be completed in the coming months, so for EuroBasket 2025 there will be a permanent and not a rented air conditioning unit.”

For internal upgrades: “We have seen how the VIP entrance has been transformed, all the interior spaces in all the SEF corridors have been repaired and painted. Of course, four new modern changing rooms have also been created for the needs of hosting multiple teams, which SEF did not have until now. Two teams could be accommodated, the stadium could not host a tournament, but now we have created 4 changing rooms, so that there are double changing rooms for the teams and for the referees and for everything.”

To increase the regular grant: “The important thing is to increase the regular grant to all sports centers to enable substantial upgrades to the sports facilities. Thus, SEF, after the budget was passed in December, received an increased regular grant to carry out structural repairs in all areas of the Stadium and the surrounding area. This was done for the first time, it has not happened before, especially for SEF. The grant he received only covered payroll. Whatever money we spend, there was absolutely nothing left over to be able to upgrade any sports facility, for whole years. Right now we have the burden of 30 years of absolutely nothing being done at the Stadium. That’s why I ask for people’s understanding, because from January to June, the times are very specific to do some things.”

For their shots: “In collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and Mr. Vroutsis, in our immediate plans, apart from the upgrade of the arena, is the upgrade of the surrounding area and the beach front of the SEF. We have set the goal of upgrading it, lighting it, replacing the two bridges that connect the microport with the Peace and Friendship Stadium. The increase in the regular grant gives us the possibility to plan the projects that need to be done this year and the following years, so that we take advantage of every euro that has been given at this moment, so that the citizens, the spectators, the sports fans can enjoy the services of the Stadium and the surrounding area”.

On what the return of the Men’s National Team to SEF means: “After 4 years as president at the Peace and Friendship Stadium, for me it marks a real “page” change for the stadium. SEF is once again positioned at the top of Greek sports and basketball, where history was “written” in 1987. It marks the change for hosting such major events again. In cooperation with the EEC, we are proving this in practice with Eurobasket 2025. I hope that the All-Star Game will also take place in December and that it will not be only these competitions. The SEF should once again welcome major basketball events and not just events.”

For the Pre-Olympic tournament: “The Federation has a lot of experience in such events, so I think that the whole event, which is in their hands, has a guaranteed result. From here on, we have to see very nice games and get the result we want”.

About when he thinks he will feel feelings of relief: “On Sunday, July 7, when our national team will be in the final and will have received the qualification ticket, in the 4th quarter after the end of the match where we will all cry for joy. The goal is one and I hope it happens. It’s basketball, it’s a match, we don’t know the result, but we know that the national team will do the best it can, as it does. This will be the peak moment and all of Greece wants it. This will be the best feeling he will feel again in the stadium where Greek basketball was “born”.

For the many young children in the SEF stands: “This is the future and well done to the Federation for making this move. I know that young children, schools and PWDs are accommodated, in the match against the Bahamas today (27/06) a whole PWD section is accommodated. These are the messengers of the message. The ones who will continue the future are the young children and this should be the image of our sports and stadiums. Sports and such games are a celebration.”