August 4 – The Hellenic Football Federation (EPO) has completed the purchase of the Paiania training facility on the outskirts of the Greek capital, Athens, which will be renovated to become the base for Greek national teams.
The facility was privately owned by Giorgos Vardinogiannis (pictured right), a Greek businessman and a shipping magnate, and former owner and president Panathinaikos.
It is a historic moment for the Hellenic Football Federation, which for the first time will have its own facility for use exclusively by Greek national teams.
The renovation will cost is €21.5 million, including €3 million for improvements. €18.5 million will be provided through FIFA and UEFA development programsme. The rest will come from the federation’s budget.
“The most important strategic choice of the EPO administration, and one of the most important in the history of the Federation, was sealed today with the signing of the purchase contracts for the G. Vardinoyannis sports center,” said an EPO statement.
“The agreement was concluded by Mr. Makis Gagatsis (pictured left) and Mr. Giorgos Vardinoyannis and the model facilities became the property of the EPO. The agreement, which had been essentially completed for some time, has now become official, as the EPO secures for the first time in its history a privately owned training center with obvious development prospects.”
This new development will provide Greek national teams with a permanent base that dispenses with their previous dependence on multiple external facilities and the need for constant travel. The EPO said that the new facility will also reduce operating costs while improving the preparation and performance of teams.
“With the signing of the contracts for the “G. Vardinoyannis” sports center, the National Teams acquire the home that we wanted to offer them and that they deserve to have. I thank once again Mr. Vardinoyannis, whose vision is today transformed into a national heritage,” said EPO president Makis Gagatsis.
“The acquisition of the sports center for our teams constitutes a timeless legacy and a cornerstone of our strategic orientation, which began a year ago and continues uninterrupted.”
Contact the writer of this story, Aleksander Krassimirov, at moc.l1754276199labto1754276199ofdlr1754276199owedi1754276199sni@o1754276199fni1754276199