With great joy and emotion, the President of KAE Panathinaikos, Vasilis Parthenopoulos, visited Melbourne, returning to Australia after 43 years. This visit was a significant event for both him and the Greek community of the city, which welcomed him with warmth and enthusiasm.
Born in Egypt, Parthenopoulos arrived in Melbourne at the age of 13 with his parents. Here, he completed his university studies and shaped part of his identity, as he stated that he also feels like an Australian citizen. “I am thrilled to be back here,” he said, expressing his deep emotion for his return.
During his visit, Parthenopoulos visited the Jack Edwards Reserve in Oakleigh, the home ground of the Oakleigh Cannons football club, a place of great importance to the local sporting community. There, he had the opportunity to engage with members of the Greek community and learn about the activities hosted at the venue, strengthening the connection between Panathinaikos and the Greek diaspora.
One of the central themes of the visit was the organisation of the “Pavlos Giannakopoulos” tournament, which will take place outside Greece for the first time. Parthenopoulos expressed his satisfaction with the international scope of the event, highlighting its significance for promoting Panathinaikos and Greek basketball globally.
He also spoke with pride about the work of Dimitris Giannakopoulos, who invested over 25 million euros in the renovation of the Olympic Stadium in Athens. As he emphasised, this stadium will serve as the home of Panathinaikos for the next 50 years and will host top athletes, enhancing the team’s momentum.
Parthenopoulos made special mention of the Melbourne Panathinaikos Supporters Club, which he described as one of the most active supporter groups outside Greece. Praising the club’s charitable work and its support for the Agapi Foundation, he expressed his delight at the community’s commitment to social causes. “Your dedication to children with special needs deeply moves me, as I also support similar foundations in Greece,” he noted, highlighting his personal sensitivity to the issue.
Additionally, Parthenopoulos reflected on his visit to Sydney, where he experienced a unique moment. “I never expected such a reception. It was an experience that will remain etched in my memory forever,” he said, visibly moved.
The visit of Vasilis Parthenopoulos to Melbourne, with the standout moment at Jack Edwards Reserve, served as a bridge between Greece and the Greek diaspora in Australia. Through his statements, genuine emotion, and recognition of the local community’s efforts, he strengthened the bond between Panathinaikos and its supporters, leaving an indelible impression on all.
