The PanHellenic Games held in Melbourne two weekends ago have drawn mixed reactions from those who participated.

The idea of bringing together so many young people of Greek descent was the highlight of the three day event, according to all the people contacted by Neos Kosmos English Edition (NKEE).

More than 600 young athletes from all across Australia and New Zealand took part in a sporting and cultural festival organised by the Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) that was the largest ever of its kind.

The two previous PanHellenic Games held in Sydney and Adelaide attracted far fewer participants.

“All the kids were delighted with their experience in Melbourne,” said a state sports manager who only spoke to NKEE on the condition of anonymity.

“They made new friends from across the country and had a blast,” he added.

But from an organisational point of view the impression left especially on the adults accompanying these young athletes was a far different story.

“The event [PanHellenic Games] was badly organised,” stressed the President of the Greek Orthodox Community of North Australia, John Nicolakis.

He underscored the chaos that by all accounts characterised the soccer games.

Eight teams had to scramble for a game on one soccer field.

As a result the organising committee decided for each half to last 15 minutes as opposed to the normal 45 minute halves.

The scheduled times were not met as long delays were experienced.

In addition, a state sports manager, who declined being named, noted that the soccer facilities were not the most appropriate as athletes did not have access to changing rooms and had to sue the toilets to prepare for their games.

When questioned about the situation by Neos Kosmos English Edition (NKEE), the Coordinator of SAE Oceania and the Far East, George Angelopoulos argued that the poor weather conditions were to be blamed for the soccer matches debacle.

He further claimed that the Games organising committee had promptly reserved soccer fields in Albert Park.

But as Mr Angelopoulos and the PanHellenic Games events manager Emmanuel Starakis explained to NKEE this reservation was cancelled by Parks Victoria, which is the managing authority, due to the poor conditions of the fields brought about by continuous rainfalls.

However, a Parks Victoria spokesperson denied this claim when questioned by NKEE.

“The event permit was understood by both parties. There was no change in the grounds made available on the day.”

A source close to the organising committee that did not wish to be identified, revealed that soccer fields in Albert Park had not been reserved because at this time of year they are used for cricket.

“They were hoping that through South Melbourne’s Hellas connections they would eventually secure these fields but that was futile,” said this source.

Eventually, SAE had to look last minute to find soccer fields and they were able to secure three fields in Burwood at the East Lions facilities.

However two out of the three were deemed inappropriate by the inspecting officials because they were water logged, leaving only one field for the soccer matches.

“If they had looked earlier for other alternatives, may be the situation would have been different,” revealed the same source.

“It’s understandable that they wanted to retain the proximity of the soccer fields to the other stadiums used for the Games, but that debilitated their capacity of finding suitable soccer fields when all was said and done,” added this source.

Another major area of complaints was the food provided to athletes.

NKEE spoke to various state sports managers who emphasised that the quantity of both the breakfast and the lunch was inadequate.

For breakfast athletes were given two small packages of cereal and two energy bars and for lunch they had a ham, cheese and tomato roll.

“If that is enough food for people who are about to go and compete in sports, then I don’t know what to say,” pointed out one coach who refused to be named.

The coach further explained that what made things worse was they were not aware of what the athletes menu entailed.

“We were only told that the athletes would be provided with breakfast and lunch.”

The SAE Coordinator, Mr Angelopoulos dismissed these complaints and underscored that given the large number of athletes this was adequate catering.

When Mr Angelopoulos was further asked to comment on other complaints reported to NKEE and raised with him, he refused saying that he wasn’t replying to anonymous criticism.

Mr Starakis did concede that organisational glitches did occur yet he stressed that everybody involved in the organizing of the Games gave their very best on a voluntary basis and overall everybody was pleased with the outcome.

It should be noted that all of the people who were contacted by NKEE to share their experience besides voicing certain complaints they all wanted to stress that the kids did enjoy themselves and that the initiative of the PanHellenic Games should be supported.

“Let’s just say that these organisational problems just left us with a bitter-sweet taste, but that doesn’t mean that we won’t take part in the Games again or that we don’t support SAE,” said Michael Melas soccer coach of the men’s team that represented the Greek Orthodox Community of Northern Australia.

In two years time the PanHellenic Games are scheduled to take place in Darwin, and the President of the Community Mr Nicolakis said to NKEE that he was confident they would be a big success, given they have already secured the full support of the Territory government.

“We will work very closely with the government to make the best Games possible,” he emphasised.