President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias on Sunday deplored instances of
violence in sport during a message read out in Ioannina, during a basketball friendly taking place in Ioannina's indoor stadium between Greek national team veterans and veterans of the Spanish club Barcelona."All of us that love sport, who love the virtues and ideals of sport, must range ourselves against violence in stadiums. It is unacceptable that a small minority can cause incidents that blacken sports as a whole. We say 'no' to violence in stadiums," he emphasised.
Papoulias was speaking at a ceremony held to honour his contribution to sport on the sidelines of the game, in which the Greek side emerged victorious with a score of 77-70. Referees in the game were Health and Social Solidarity Minister Andreas Loverdos and Deputy Health Minister Christos Aidonis.
Both ministers also condemned violence linked to sports during statements at the event and encouraged young people to exercise.
source: ANA-MPA
