Cyprus President, Nikos Christodoulides announced on Wednesday evening the government's decision to prepare a strategy for the upgrade of sports in Cyprus.

In his speech at the first National Sports Awards ceremony, organised by the Cyprus Sports Organisation (CSO), the President referred to the need to further upgrade sports in Cyprus, starting with education and announced the government’s decision to draw up a strategy for the upgrading of sports in the country under the supervision of the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth and with the assistance of the new Board of Directors of the CSO.

He explained that this strategy will include actions concerning pre-school, primary and secondary education and higher education, as well as citizens in general.

The President stated that strengthening, in all possible ways, the efforts of athletes was at the heart of the government's policies.

He added that the general plans in the field of sports also aim to improve the physical and mental health of all citizens, without any discrimination whatsoever. At the same time, he said that they aim to promote sports as a tool for a healthy lifestyle, enhancing the possibilities for sports activities inside and outside schools.

With regard to the education sector, he said that they were promoting the creation of programmes for cooperation with athletes-role models and highlighting new talent, the implementation of actions to promote lifelong exercise, of mass sports programmes and the integration of Olympic Education in school curriculums.

At the same time, he said, actions were being promoted aimed at equal sports opportunities for everyone and the inclusion of people with disabilities in sports.

President Christodoulides also referred to the importance of the quality and adequacy of sports facilities and noted that they will work towards promoting their further upgrading and use, with the aim of strengthening competitive sports, assisting the effort for mass sports and attracting international events such as EuroBasket. He noted that, on the latter, work has already begun in Limassol. He added that they will work for the promotion of sports tourism.

The President also talked about strengthening the funding of sports federations and, by extension, athletes.