By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The deputy sports minister of Greece, Giannis Vroutsis, has recommended that the new administration of the Hellenic Basketball Federation proceed with elections as quickly as possible.
Following a meeting with EOK on Monday that lasted less than an hour, Vroutsis issued this strong recommendation. Due to the self-governing nature of the federation, the state cannot legally intervene to enforce elections, as such an action would trigger a severe reaction from FIBA.
“I called urgently today the new president and the board of directors of the basketball federation. I told them that the trust of the people has been shaken,” stated the 63-year-old politician. “I respect the self-governance of the federation, and I do not impose. I recommend the path of elections, as soon as possible, immediately if it is feasible.”
“Until the management audits are completed, financial aid to the federation, and only to it, is frozen,” added Vroutsis. Earlier in the day, he pledged that ‘light will be shed on EOK’s finances’, stressing that ‘we have a duty together to restore the credibility of the league and sport’.
In response, newly appointed president Angelos Papanikolaou confirmed the intention to transition toward an election. “We are aligned in our approach toward a clean-up,” he mentioned, explaining that the current board will serve in a transitional capacity to ensure the smooth continuation of domestic leagues and national team activities. “We are proposing to the ministry a charter for the conduct of the Hellenic Basketball Federation elections.”
This intervention follows a major crisis in Greece, marked by the pre-trial detention of Vangelis Liolios amid the unfolding match-fixing and bribery scandal.
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