The president of the amateur Panathinaikos, Panagiotis Malakatesspoke on the show “Trial in the Open” about the construction of the Panathinaikos stadium in Votanikos, after the historic general assembly of the Association, which gave the “green light” for this important project.
«You need to be optimistic when it comes to trading. We pressed on a Presidential Decree, some things had to be observed, when you want to succeed for the Association you love you have to fight. We achieved a large majority. I had a clear conscience when we achieved something important. The 70% who voted “yes” is a very large percentage. I believe in health and democracy and the different point of view. I also respect those who voted against. We all love Panathinaikos».
About how the effort started:
«We found the renovation in a Presidential Decree, it was approved by Thanasis Giannakopoulos, we could not go anywhere else. In the past, there was a discussion about Elliniko, Goudi, Eleonas, Leoforos again, it did not happen there and finally it was selected and will be used for the house of Panathinaikos. And the 30% who voted against for emotional reasons did so. The Avenue will not cease to be Panathinaikos, it will be our museum and other things together. Panathinaikos leaves, but is not uprooted from the Avenue. It will have a stadium worthy of its history».
On whether basketball should go to the Botanical Garden:
«For basketball, the Presidential Decree should be changed. This would bring a significant delay. Conditions would not be the same, now all is favorable, there is cross-party political will, but also funding».
On when the Avenue will be demolished:
“It is written in the contracts, first to make the cross in Votanikos and then to demolish Avenue. The contract will be signed in the coming days. Logically the week after Easter. Signing contracts leads to auctions and holistic studies. The key to open it was the general assembly. Because they are private funds, they will move very fast. The Avenue will become a Metropolitan Park “.
For the area of Votanikos:
«The area is degraded today, but we are talking about a stadium for 100 years and always. The area will be upgraded when the stadiums are built and the area is rehabilitated. In 2024 the house of the amateur will be ready and in 2026 the stadium of Votanikos. I consider it realistic and we will do everything we can to meet the schedules».
For the difference with Nea Toumpa:
«The New Toumba starts from scratch, we pressed on a Presidential Decree. There was the political will, the will of the Panathinaikos fans and the financing. I can not answer for the funding in Nea Toumpa. To get this money, Panathinaikos gives the Avenue, which is a stadium with history, to a stadium of great value. Where it belongs there is a dispute. If the Avenue did not exist, we would not get anything. I wish PAOK builds its own stadium, AEK is over. When there are big stadiums, there is more revenue».
Finally for the parking spaces noted:
«There will be 125 seats under the indoor and 375 under the football field. The rest will be for the area»
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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.
