The Posidonia Games concluded last night with the ShipSoccer tournament at the spectacular Star Sport Club, in Athens’ southern seafront suburb of Voula. A total of 28 teams comprising 280 players battled it out at the venue’s synthetic-turfed, five-a-side pitches during an event which drew hundreds of spectators.
Nico Koumbatis, Managing Director of the tournament’s main sponsor, Swift Marine, said: “Posidonia ShipSoccer Tournament is a truly exceptional event that gives participating companies the opportunity to promote the values of sportsmanship and team building. It is wonderful to meet with so many shipping professionals from around the world in such an extraordinary venue next to Athens’ Riviera seafront, to network, play football and relax ahead of the busy Posidonia week.”
George Paleokrassas, from Watson, Farley & Williams, said: “This is our first time at the Posidonia ShipSoccer Tournamernt and I must admit that we are very happy with the organisation and the quality of the event as well as with the spirit of competition between all participants. We have a lot of clients who participate in the event which is an excellent networking opportunity. For example, our team had the opportunity to train together for weeks before the event and today we have the support of many of our colleagues from the office.”
Sotiris Spathis, Drew Marine, Sales Manager: “The soccer event is really exceptional, it gets better and better each passing year. It is very important to see so many participants from the shipping community coming together in this great venue. We are happy to be loyal participants at this event for the second consecutive edition and we are looking forward to the next one.”
Aristides Pittas from Eurobulk said: “It is a great tournament with many players and footballers, it helps promote team building, networking. We have participated in every Posidonia ShipSoccer Tournament as we truly value the event’s unique quality.”
The fourth Posidonia Golf Tournament had teed off earlier in the day at the neighbouring Glyfada Golf Club with the participation of 124 golfers from Europe, Asia and the USA. The event culminated with a prize-giving ceremony at popular night spot venue Island, which was attended by 1,000 VIP guests.
Nikolas Martinos, CEO Thenamaris, said: “The Posidonia Golf Tournament, jointly sponsored by Thenamaris and Costmare, has become a great opportunity for Posidonia guests to enjoy a day out with shipping colleagues from around the globe. This year’s tournament had a record 31 teams with 124 players, and continues to grow in size and popularity each year.”
Earlier on the day, at 9.00am, at the other side of the Athens Riviera, the port city of Piraeus, the second edition of the Posidonia Running Event got onto a crowded start with almost 1,700 runners negotiating the 5kms course which started and finished in front of the city’s Municipal Theatre.
Amongst the participants was Polish Ambassador to Greece Anna Barbarzak, who said: “I think the running event is a great idea feeding into the main Posidonia event. People arrive to Athens earlier in order to participate in the sports initiatives which is fantastic. I have a full team from Poland as well as Embassy representatives, especially because this year we have the first Polish pavilion at Posidonia organised by the Ministry of Maritime Economy and Inland shipping.”
Poland this year is also marking the 100th year since regaining its independence in 1818, when the country’s shipbuilding industry was born.
Adonis Kanelakis, from Alpha Bulkers, said: “Almost 20 percent of our company’s team members are participating in this great event and we are all very happy to have crossed the finishing line. This is a great initiative and we hope to be here again in two years from now.”
Piraeus Mayor, Yiannis Morales said: “It is with great satisfaction that we welcomed again in Piraeus for the second time the Posidonia Running Event, thousands of runners from around the world who are in Greece this week to attend Posidonia Exhibition 2018. They had the opportunity to visit our beautiful city, a great shipping hub, and participate in a prestigious running event which we will continue to support as it promotes our city and helps local businesses.”
Posidonia Games 2018 kicked off on Friday at Faliro Bay, where one of the biggest sailing events in Greek waters, the Posidonia Cup Yacht Race, was held.
A record 60 yachts and over 600 crew members were the ingredients of the action-packed Posidonia Cup 2018 sailing race, which culminated in a prestigious award ceremony at the picturesque Vouliagmeni Lake, bringing professional sailors, shipping executives and experienced seamen together and creating the unique Posidonia atmosphere. The challenging weather conditions stimulated both enthusiasm and suspense and united the global shipping family in a day full of fun, fellowship and adventure.
By: N. Peter Kramer
