Marianthi Kypouros a representative of SAE Oceania when talking to Neos Kosmos English Edition (NKEE) was enthusiastic about the up coming Pan Hellenic Games scheduled for end of November.
“It’s particularly important as it is the first time that Melbourne is hosting them, as the second largest population of Greeks in the world, it is important for us to make it them great Pan Hellenic games,” said Ms Kypouros.
One may question the value or need to bring together Greeks from Australia and New Zealand in a sporting event, but Ms Kypouros is adamant about the value of the event.
“It’s to bringing people of Greek descent together and creating a link between Oceania’s Diaspora, building on a common bond,” she said.
The games will include a range of sports and codes, such as, tennis, soccer, martial arts, and basketball. Ms Kypouros went on to underscore the importance of that bind the Greek Diaspora.
“It binds us all no meter from where we come from. I am a Greek South African living in Australia yet I still identify with my Hellenism and regardless of like philotimo and hospitality philoxenia, we should all be proud,” she adds.
Along with the sporting event there will also be a cultural festival.
The first Pan Hellenic games were held in Adelaide and the second in Sydney. Ms Kypouros went to underscore the importance of making the Melbourne games the largest, given Melbourne is a centre of Hellenism.
“We are hoping to have anywhere between 500 to 600 athletes” said Ms Kypouros, adding “we want to continue and expand on the success of the previous games and want take advantage of Melbourne’s potential.”
For those wishing to enter as athletes the closing deadline is Friday October 16 for entry forms and details go to www.saeoceania.org.au/panhellenicgames