The HOC welcomes delegation from the men’s National Water Polo team – “We lack pools for training,” says Afroudakis

A delegation from the Men’s National Water Polo Team, which claimed the silver medal at the World Cup, was welcomed at the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) by President Isidoros Kouvelos and Secretary General Stefanos Handakas.

The Vice President of the Hellenic Swimming Federation, Giorgos Afroudakis, along with coach Thodoris Vlachos and team captain Dinos Genidounias, received congratulations for their success, while the former water polo star addressed the major issue of the shortage of swimming pools.

Press Release from the HOC

A delegation from the Men’s National Water Polo Team was received at the Hellenic Olympic Committee by President Isidoros Kouvelos and Secretary General Stefanos Handakas to congratulate them on winning the silver medal at the recent World Cup held in Montenegro.

Addressing the Vice President of the Hellenic Swimming Federation Giorgos Afroudakis, coach Thodoris Vlachos, and captain Dinos Genidounias, Mr. Kouvelos said, “Warm congratulations for your exceptional performances and for winning the silver medal. Both the Men’s and Women’s National Water Polo Teams are raising our Greek flag high, and you continuously make us proud with your successes. The Hellenic Olympic Committee will always support your teams and the federation in every possible way.”

The meeting was part of Secretary General Stefanos Handakas’s ongoing talks with the sports federations. “From the very beginning, we have stated our commitment to support the federations, as they cultivate the sports and require support. We are in contact with them, discussing the problems they face and helping to resolve them, and today we met with the Hellenic Swimming Federation,” stated Mr. Handakas.

On behalf of the Hellenic Swimming Federation, Giorgos Afroudakis said, “We want to thank you for your warm words. I also want to express my happiness that you acknowledge the role of federations and stand by our side because you know that we are a federation that consistently brings home distinctions, not only in water polo but across all the sports we cultivate. The Hellenic Swimming Federation supports six sports and has 28 national teams, and the difficulties we face are many, especially with the huge shortage of swimming pools.” Mr. Kouvelos assured him that pleasant news regarding the Olympic Swimming Pool at Zappeion, which has been closed for several years, would soon be forthcoming.

Next, the national team coach, Thodoris Vlachos, said, “I want to thank you for the invitation and we know that you are and will be close to us. We are building a team that by the time of the Los Angeles Olympic Games will be cohesive and prepared, but that also has a future. We always look further ahead because the team must have continuity. The players are enthusiastic, they have goals, and they believe in themselves that they can defeat any opponent.”

Captain Dinos Genidounias, speaking on behalf of all the players of the National Water Polo Team, emphasized, “Thank you for the invitation and we know that you will be by our side. I want to say that we are a team with great enthusiasm, especially the younger members. This was evident at the World Cup where we aimed for gold. I don’t want to promise any medals or successes, but what I can say is that the team will always give its 100%, and once everything falls into place, I hope we will achieve what we men have been striving for all these years: a gold medal.”