In a historic event on Saturday, 20 September, the Greek Orthodox Community of New South Wales hosted a distinguished delegation from Panathinaikos B.C. as part of the “Pavlos Giannakopoulos” tournament in Australia. The visit took place at the Greek Community Language School in Clemton Park, with a focus on preserving Greek heritage through education and sport.

The day was eagerly anticipated, with students prepared by their teachers to welcome the Panathinaikos representatives. As the players entered the hall, the children sang the club’s anthem, creating an atmosphere of celebration and respect for the iconic team.

The winners of the poster competition were photographed with the players of the Panathinaikos basketball team.

The delegation included international basketball players Panagiotis Kalaitzakis and Vasilis Toliopoulos, who recently won bronze at EuroBasket 2025 with the Greek national team. Also present were Panathinaikos president Vasilis Parthenopoulos and Despina Giannakopoulou, widow of the late Pavlos Giannakopoulos, together with senior club officials.

The president of the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW, Harry Danalis, warmly welcomed the guests and highlighted the pride felt by the community.

The international basketball players Panagiotis Kalaitzakis and Vasilis Toliopoulos sign basketballs for students.

“When we learnt that the ‘Pavlos Giannakopoulos’ Tournament would be held in Australia, we embraced it with enthusiasm. We took several initiatives to ensure its success, as the Greek diaspora here passionately supports events that strengthen our connection with Greece and its rich cultural and sporting heritage,” Mr Danalis said.

Mr Parthenopoulos shared a personal reflection of his own experience as a child attending Greek school in Australia every Saturday.

Despina Giannakopoulou, Harry Danalis, Themis Kallos and Vasilis Parthenopoulos.

“It is a joy to see the passion and dedication of these young students, who are learning to keep the Greek language and culture alive. We thank the Greek Orthodox Community for organising this unforgettable event,” he said.

The Consul General of Greece in Sydney, George Skemperis, also addressed the gathering, stressing the significance of the Panathinaikos visit.

“This is the Greece we want our children to see – vibrant, strong and proud of its sporting achievements,” he said.

As part of the celebrations, students took part in a poster competition promoting the “Pavlos Giannakopoulos” tournament. The winners were announced during the event: Haris Kapsimalis (ages 7–9) from Clemton Park, Eleni Halatsi (ages 10–12) from Summer Hill, and Ioannis Poulos (ages 13–15) from St Spyridon College. Each received exclusive Panathinaikos memorabilia and tickets to the tournament match at Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday, 21 September.

The president of the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW, the president of Panathinaikos B.C. and Mrs Despina Giannakopoulou exchanged symbolic gifts to strengthen the ties between Greece and the Greek community in Australia.

The event concluded with students, parents and grandparents lining up to take photos with Kalaitzakis and Toliopoulos, ensuring memories of a day that celebrated not only sport but also the enduring ties between Greece and the Greek community in Australia.