The 1st Training Seminar for Administrative Executives and Sports Officials of the National Federations was successfully held at the headquarters of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, on the topic: «The Role of Executives in the Administration of Sport», organized by the National Olympic Academy and the Hellenic Olympic Committee.
The seminar was opened by the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Isidoros Kouvelos, who congratulated the National Olympic Academy for the excellent initiative and its President, Olympian Demosthenes Tabakos, for his dedication and passion with which he serves the education and progress of sports executives. The President of the HOC stressed that «sport is not just records, medals and competitive results, it is a living organism with athletes at its heart, the values of sport at its soul and the minds of the executives who run it».
He acknowledged their crucial role, underlining that: «You give shape, direction and perspective to the edifice of sport. You are the people who support the athletes and ensure that there is transparency, organisation and certainty. Without your contribution, no club, no federation and no sporting organisation could stand up without you». At the same time, he referred to the seminar as «an opportunity to share knowledge, exchange experiences and serve sport with ethics, vision and love, so that together we can shape a sport that is fairer, more modern and closer to society».
Then, the President of the National Olympic Academy and Olympic gold and silver medalist, Demosthenes Tabakos, welcomed the participants and referred to the concept of leadership. He said that in the past, a leader was considered to be at the top of the pyramid of an organisation; however, it is now recognised that leadership is an internal, ever-evolving situation and that a leader can be any member of the team. He spoke of instinctive leadership, which is based on the «born leader» but often lacks knowledge, and intelligent leadership, which follows safe paths, exploiting possibilities and opportunities.
He singled out, however, as the highest form of leadership, leadership from the heart, «not lacking in knowledge, but inspired by intuition and leading to decisions based on the common good, inclusion and equality and future generations». In conclusion, he said: «I sincerely hope that this will be a constructive seminar and a trigger for ongoing training, so that we can all respond in the best possible way to the role that we are each time assigned.».
Then, the Deputy Minister of Development, Stavros Kalafatis, took the floor, who congratulated the initiative, noting that «it was time to adopt the technocratic approach and the training of sports executives», stressing the importance of know-how for the strengthening of Greek sport. The event was also attended by the Director of Physical Education and Sports of the Ministry of Education, Mr. Dimitris Kereres, and the Director of the Supreme Council of Sports of the Armed Forces, Captain Spyros Andriopoulos.
During the seminar, participants had the opportunity to listen to presentations by distinguished personalities from the academic, sports and legal world.
Dimitris Bourantas, Professor of Athens University of Economics and Business and Dean of New York College, was the keynote speaker of the seminar and analyzed the critical role of values leadership in the success of sports organizations.
Dikaia Hadjiefstathiou, Professor of Applied Olympic Studies at Canterbury Christ Church University, UK, presented how Olympic values can be a driving force for leadership and vision.
Mr. Dionysis Gangas, Doctor of International Law and Development Programme Advisor of the International Olympic Academy, referred to the structure of the Olympic Movement and the need for Good Governance.
Konstantinos Flegkas, Olympic water polo champion and Legal Advisor to the Secretary General of Sport, spoke about the rights and obligations of athletes, with particular emphasis on the concept of «Dual Career».
The second section of the seminar was developed by Mr. Dimitris Gargalianos, Professor of Sports Organization and Administration at the Democritus University of Thrace, who presented issues related to the organization and administration of sports federations, as well as important international texts relating to sport.
In the third session, the speakers were Mr. Vassilis Kakkos, Director of Competitive Sports at the General Secretariat of Sports, who referred to the programmes of the General Secretariat of Sports, as well as the Professor of the School of Physical Education and Sports Science (SEFAA) of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (EKPA) and President of the International Olympic Academy, Mr. Together with him, Ms. Hara Spiliopoulou, Professor of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology at the School of Medicine of the National Academy of Athens, discussed the current challenges facing the Olympic Movement.
The aim of the seminar was to enhance the knowledge and skills of the administrative executives, to promote transparency and efficiency in administration, as well as to cultivate a common administrative culture in Greek sports bodies.
The seminar concluded with a fruitful discussion and exchange of views between speakers and participants, setting the basis for the continuous training of executives for the benefit of Greek sport and society.
