© Stelios Philanthropic Foundation
The Hellenic Initiative hosted a fundraising gala to support its Summer Basketball Academy, raising over €124,000. This event was graced by one of Greece's most famous athletes, Nikos Galis.
The second annual charity event of the Hellenic Initiative in Monaco was a resounding success. It raised funds to support the Hellenic Initiative’s Summer Youth Academy: a basketball camp in partnership with Eurohoops for children aged 14 to 18 from various socio-economic backgrounds. The gala was hosted by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, founder of easyGroup and board member of the Hellenic Initiative, at his Foundation's premises in Monaco.
Prominent figures from the sports world and other fields attended the event. The highlight of the evening was the speech by guest of honor and Greek basketball legend Nikos Galis, who spoke about the role of sports in social integration and youth empowerment. “We must teach ethical values to the youth. We must teach them not to discriminate, not to have social and cultural barriers, and to keep believing that sports is a way out. In my opinion, which I will voice until I die, sports unite the entire world, all nations,” he said.
The Academy will be held for the first time in Greece at the Leonteios School of Athens from July 1 to 26, in collaboration with Eurohoops. Completely free for the participating teenagers, it will combine basketball training sessions with a series of recreational and empowerment activities aimed at developing their skills both on and off the court. Two hundred children are enrolled, double the initial target! Spots were allocated based on social and economic criteria to ensure the participation of underprivileged children.
George P. Stamas, chairman of the Hellenic Initiative's board, expressed the NGO's "pride and enthusiasm" for this initiative. “Inspired by our youth hero, Nikos Galis, we continue our work with the goal that every action we undertake highlights the power of cooperation, youth empowerment, and the value of community service,” he said, thanking Sir Stelios for his “unique hospitality.”
Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou commented, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who joined us today at the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation and supported another one of our important initiatives. Every action, every effort we make, regardless of the method or approach, always has the same goal: strengthening and empowering youth through programs that combine education, training, and, if possible, fun.”