The Ηellenic Basketball Federation renames the 1st Phase of the Greek Cup 2022 to "UNICEF Trophy"
UNICEF and the Hellenic Basketball Federation (HBF) continue their joint work towards raising awareness and mobilizing the general public to defend the rights of children in the country.
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ATHENS, 05 December 2022 - On Monday morning, December 5, the draw for the semi-finals of the 1st phase of the Greek Basketball Cup was completed with the President of the Hellenic Basketball Federation, Mr. Vangelis Liolios and UNICEF’s Representative in Greece, Luciano Calestini, announcing that for the first time this year the event is renamed 'UNICEF Trophy', as a symbolic gesture in defense of children's rights in Greece.
Τwo strong pairings resulted from the draw: Hercules BC 2022 vs Panionios and FEA NF/NX vs Papagos with the semi-finals to be held at the indoor gym of Cholargos and the final at OAKA stadium on December 15 and 17 respectively. The four teams will compete for the first time under a common cause, that of defending children's rights.
HBF’s President Mr. Vangelis Liolios said: "Today is a very important day for sports and especially for basketball. Today UNICEF gives its name to a sports event. It’s the very first time this major Organization offers their name to such an event. Do you know how many other federations UNICEF has worked with? None. We have the principles to work with an organization of such a huge magnitude. Sports make dreams come true and we want to pass on basketball with a set of principles and values which will be transmitted to the next generation.
"In the two semi-finals and the finals, fans will allow us to have only children in the stands. Our future! This partnership with UNICEF is the future. We will work together for many years to come aiming to protect the next generation and send one common message… that sports equal to strong values, high principles and culture. This is our role as a federation," added Mr. Liolios.
"The symbolic renaming of the first phase of the Greek Cup to UNICEF Trophy will hopefully contribute to spreading the message of the national effort to prioritize and address issues related to protection, mental and physical health, education, access and participation of every child in Greece," said Luciano Calestini, UNICEF’s Representative in Greece. "I am convinced seeing the commitment of the HBF team that this partnership will last not only months but years, and will aim to support and empower marginalized groups of children to bring them to the ‘light’. I am confident that we will show what two bodies of such magnitude can do when they join forces, and set a strong example of good practice worldwide for other countries and other bodies to follow," he added.
UNICEF and HBF will continue to work together in the best interest of our country's children and young people, announcing programmatic initiatives soon.
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About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
For more information about UNICEF and its work for children in Greece, visit www.unicef.org/greece.
