By Dimitris Minaretzis/ info@eurohoops.net
Updates on the home venues of Olympiacos and Panathinaikos Aktor were delivered by the deputy sports minister of Greece, Giannis Vroutsis.
“Let me start with something that is not a misunderstanding and will not create questions: SEF must go to Olympiacos. That is clear,” he mentioned in an interview with Greek sports radio station ERA Sport on Monday.
“A discussion is required in this process, because it will be alongside other stuff, which are on a scale of evaluation of real rights of the public. Nobody today wants their ethics to be questioned because it can very easily be questioned if a provision goes to Parliament,” he continued, “There, everything included in the deal will be examined closely. It will not only be SEF, it will also have some other things to be on the same scale as OAKA.”
“The state will try to create conditions of equality and justice,” he further explained, “No one should feel vindicated or offended. Delays concern this alone. The state, the government, has decided that the SEF should be given to Olympiacos. This in itself says that we intend to do it as soon as possible. We have no other reason to delay it.”
“Olympiacos fans hear from me, the Minister of Sports, my intention and will, as well as that of the government, to hand control of SEF to Olympiacos. This should completely cover them. Any delay concerns the formalities that need to be done for the surrounding matters. It is not easy. It is a law that will come with procedures. The other thing is that we will try to have a balance with the situation between OAKA and Panathinaikos. It’s that simple,” he added.
In 2023, the Greek government handed over operational control of OAKA Altion to the Greens for the next 49 years. As detailed by Vroutsis, a similar step is expected between SEF and Olympiacos.
In addition, he talked about the bid to host the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four 2026 in OAKA.
“It was a difficult decision, because it involves a large amount of money,” he noted, “The great benefit is Greece’s exposure by holding the Final Four in Greece. That’s why we sent the letter to the Euroleague, saying that we are at its disposal to organize the 2026 Final Four in our country. Basketball unites, that’s what we’re looking for. I hope our effort is successful.”
“Greece has the best conditions to host the Final Four. Don’t look at OAKA as the Panathinaikos home in these games, but as a venue in Greece. We asked them to evaluate us for our conditions and infrastructure, so the tournament can take place here,” he described the process in bidding for the hosting rights of the next season-ending tournament of Europe’s premier club continental competition.
