The Cyprus Sports Organisation (CSO) is stepping up its efforts to renovate and build sports facilities in various parts of the country. The central element of the new strategy is the drafting of a master plan for the construction of a new stadium with a capacity of 4-5 thousand spectators at the Makarios Stadium in Nicosia. In parallel, a memorandum of cooperation was signed with organisations in Paphos for the modernisation of the Stylios Kyriakidis Stadium.
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Specific measures and prospects
CSO President Yiannos Ioannou said that the organisation is ready to launch an international call for expressions of interest in the next two weeks for the use and operation of the Stelios Kyriakides Stadium in Paphos. The new agreement with local authorities and sports associations, including the Koroivos Gymnastics Association and the Municipality of Ierokipaia, will significantly improve the facility’s operating conditions for the next 25-30 years. A sports centre with athletics infrastructure will also be built in the Geroskipou area with the assistance of Paphos Football Club.
Despite these steps, the situation with the current facilities remains tense. Representatives of the Parliamentary Education Committee expressed concern about the level of deterioration of the stadiums, sanitary facilities and the need for urgent measures. General Manager of Pafos Football Club, Haris Theocharous, referring to the decision of the previous Board of Directors of the Cyprus Football Association to reconstruct the surface of the new GSZ in Larnaca for €2 million , noted that sixteen months after the start of the work, it was discovered that the stands were unsuitable, calling it a “scandal”.
Support from parliamentary circles and sports organizations
Representatives of various parties, including DIKO, Akel and DISY, called for a systemic approach to the management of sports infrastructure. Support was expressed for the idea of building medium-capacity stadiums – up to 5,000 seats – near populated areas instead of mega-projects with high costs.
Particular attention was paid to the need to coordinate the actions of the CSO with the Ministry of Education and other state bodies. The CSO has already started the process of handing over the pitch of the Makarios Stadium for training purposes, and has also approved the renovation of facilities in the areas of Paleometocho, Kyrenia and the Kykkos School in Nicosia.
Financing and strategic planning
The key focus of the CSO strategy remains the rational use of public funds. The organization strives for effective asset management, fair distribution of resources between sports teams and the fight against sexual harassment in the sports environment.
However, representatives of a number of clubs, including Omonia, expressed regret that cooperation with CSO regarding the reconstruction of the Makarios stadium did not take place, while environmental solutions could have been found in the private sector.
Missed Opportunities and New Hopes
For four years, the Paphos region remained on the periphery of sports development. According to the deputy chairman of the parliamentary committee for education, Chrysafos Savvidis, the previous CSO board made a strategic mistake by delaying the development of the Stylius Kyriakidis stadium due to the unjustified choice of a direct contract. This resulted in a significant loss of time and opportunities.
However, political and sports figures welcome the current agreement to upgrade Makarios Stadium and hope for qualitative changes. MP Giorgos Karoullas stressed the need for comprehensive planning for all areas of Cyprus to avoid previous miscalculations.
New CSO approach
CSO Chairman Yiannos Ioannou said the organisation was abandoning its previous approach of patching up problems. He noted that Cyprus’ sports infrastructure is one of the last in Europe and only systematic investment can change the situation. The GSZ stadium in the Larnaca area is also expected to improve, as it should not be abandoned given the state investment in its construction.
Football for all: transparency, development and local players
The Vice-Chairman of the COP, Philippos Georgiou, expressed support for the stadium modernization initiatives and noted the importance of reforms to improve the quality of the football “product”. He also stressed the need for greater openness and interaction with fans and the media so that sport truly becomes “for everyone”.
Cyprus Footballers Association (PASP) Spyros Neofitidis cited other countries where even old stadiums are kept in excellent condition thanks to good management. He noted that the current CSO administration is doing the right thing by choosing the path of structured agreements and transparent tenders.
The need to change outdated norms
Another important area of discussion was the need to revise the outdated KOP regulations regarding so-called “refugee clubs”. According to the current rules, only clubs registered before 1974 are considered as such, which puts modern teams at a disadvantage when distributing grants. Deputy Alexas Trifonidis stated the need for immediate adjustment of these rules.
He also proposed introducing a quota for the mandatory participation of at least four Cypriots in the starting lineup of First Division teams . This should give impetus to the development of football academies and allow young local players to prove themselves at a high level.
