Provisions regarding the authority of the Minister of Sports, Yiannis Vroutsis, were incorporated into the Ministry of Culture’s draft bill (Articles 136–140), which was submitted to Parliament and will be debated the day after tomorrow, Thursday, July 23 at 10 a.m., in the Standing Committee on Cultural Affairs.

Among the most significant provisions is the granting of a 49-year concession to AEK S.A. (which has been leasing it until now) for the use, management, and operation of the Ano Liosia Olympic Center, which is owned by SEF, under terms similar to those already applied in the cases of OAKA (Panathinaikos BC) and the SEF (Olympiacos BC).

The concession includes the stadium, ancillary facilities, the surrounding area, and parking lots (with specific exceptions for international competitions and cultural events).

AEK BC is required to make investments of at least €4,000,000 within the first 12 years and will pay SEF an annual percentage of 30% of the net revenue arising from the commercial use of the concessioned buildings, facilities, and outdoor spaces, expressly excluding revenue from tickets, sponsorships, television rights, and advertising.

Of course, the national basketball teams retain the right to use the facilities, and there is no impact whatsoever on the employment status and salary structure of all regular and temporary SEF staff.

“The concession of the Ano Liosia Olympic Center to AEK Basketball Club is part of the Government’s overall strategy for the utilization and long-term development of the country’s major sports infrastructure, with a focus on safety, sustainability, and meeting the needs of sports organizations,” stated Mr. Vroutsis, adding that “Under the same terms that apply to the corresponding cases of the Panathinaikos and Olympiacos basketball clubs, the AEK basketball club was entitled to—and will now have the opportunity to—invest further in this facility, upgrade it, and manage it for the benefit of the club, the fans, and Greek sports, in the best possible way.”

At the same time, under another provision, the Schools and Academies of Culture and Sports, as well as the National Archive of Audiovisual and Digital Content, are designated to be located at the Ano Liosia Olympic Center, while specific issues concerning the surrounding area of the facilities are addressed in order to enable the implementation of measures that enhance functionality, the upgrading, and the further development of the sports complex, in accordance with the current institutional framework.

The same bill also includes other important provisions falling under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Sports, such as strengthening the legal framework governing the practice of the coaching profession.

The verification of formal and substantive qualifications is further safeguarded, and the coaching profession is protected, as coaching activities may only be carried out by those who hold a professional license, are registered in the Ministry’s Register of Coaches, and hold the required identification card—information that must be included on the match sheets for every competition.

This ensures effective oversight of the legality of professional practice, while also enhancing the transparency and credibility of competition procedures.

*photo source: SUNEL Arena