By Stefan Acevski/ info@eurohoops.net
Thomas Walkup is playing with a Greek passport in the Stoiximan GBL, but now Panathinaikos has filed a request for its revocation.
The request was submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the “greens” believing that the guard can no longer have the passport, as he has not played for the Greek National Team since August 6, 2024.
All this comes a day after the derby with Olympiacos at OAKA, where the “greens” coach Ergin Ataman spoke about it in the press conference. This is part of the document sent by Panathinaikos.
“PAO BC has submitted a request to the Ministry of Interior, requesting the revocation of the honorary naturalization of the athlete of OLYMPIACOS BC Thomas Walkup according to article 26A of the Greek Citizenship Code. In particular, with the presidential decree of 18.4.2023, THOMAS WALKUP was naturalized as a Greek through the exceptional procedure of honorary naturalization with a proposal from the Minister of Interior, as it was deemed that through his professional activity he could offer significant services to the country. PAO BC legally supports that the uncertain and potential contribution of a person to the distinctions of the national basketball team does not constitute, according to article 13 of the Greek Citizenship Code, a reason for his honorary naturalization, as the law refers to ALREADY accomplished contribution of exceptional services to the Country, so that his contribution to the distinctions of the national team has been proven over time and justifies the exceptional granting of Greek citizenship as a tribute to this ALREADY proven contribution.
And indeed, this was proven in practice AFTER the naturalization: no such contribution of exceptional services to the country was provided by Mr. Walkup, as in the years he participated in our National Team, it did not achieve any distinction, while Mr. Walkup has not since played with our National team in any match since his last participation on August 6, 2024. Therefore, PAO BC requests the Ministry of Interior, which initiated the process of granting Greek citizenship to Mr. Walkup, to similarly now initiate the process for its revocation. PAO BC also refers to the relevant statement of Mr. Walkup himself when he was naturalized as a Greek: “It is, indeed, so genuine my willingness to offer, that I commit that in case I refuse in the future to provide my services, the Greek Government will withdraw the rights arising from the granting of the passport.”