In a momentous event on Saturday, September 20, the Greek Orthodox Community of New South Wales (GOCNSW) hosted a distinguished delegation from Panathinaikos Basketball Club as part of the Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament in Australia. The event took place at the Greek Saturday School at Clemton Park PS.
The event was a highly anticipated occasion, with students enthusiastically prepared by their teachers to welcome the Panathinaikos delegation.
As the team players entered the hall, students performed the Panathinaikos hymn, creating an atmosphere of celebration and respect for the iconic club.
The Panathinaikos delegation included prominent figures such as international basketball stars Panagiotis Kalaitzakis and Vasilis Toliopoulos, who had recently earned bronze medals at EuroBasket 2025.
The delegation was also accompanied by Panathinaikos BC President, Vasilis Parthenopoulos, and Despina Giannakopoulou, widow of the late Pavlos Giannakopoulos, alongside key staff members from the Greek club.
The event was marked by a warm welcome from the Community’s President, Harry Danalis, who expressed his pride in the event.
“When we learned that the Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament would be held in Australia, we eagerly embraced the opportunity. We took several actions to ensure its success, as the Greek diaspora here in Australia eagerly supports events that strengthen our connection to Greece and its rich cultural and sporting heritage,” Mr Danalis said.
In a heartfelt address, Mr Parthenopoulos reflected on his own time in Australia when he was a child and attended Greek School every Saturday and expressed his gratitude to the Greek community.
“It’s a joy to see the passion and dedication of these young students, who are learning to keep the Greek language and culture alive. Thank you to the Greek Orthodox Community for organising this memorable event,” Mr Parthenopoulos said.
Consul General of Greece in Sydney, George Skemperis, also addressed the crowd, emphasising the significance of Panathinaikos’ visit as an opportunity to showcase the excellence of Greek sports to the Australian Greek community.
“This is the Greece we want our children to see – vibrant, strong, and proud of its sporting achievements,” Mr Skemperis said.
As part of the event, the Community launched several initiatives to promote the Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament, including a student poster competition. The winners were announced during the event and recognised for their creativity and dedication:
- Harry Kapsimalis – GOC Clemton Park Public School, Saturday Greek Class (ages 7-9)
- Eleni Halatsis – GOC Summer Hill Public School, Thursday Greek Class (ages 10-12)
- John Poulos – St Spyridon College (ages 13-15)
The winners received exclusive Panathinaikos BC merchandise and tickets to attend the tournament matches held on Sunday 21 September at Qudos Bank Arena.
In keeping with tradition, the leadership of the GOCNSW and Panathinaikos BC exchanged symbolic gifts to further strengthen the ties between Greece and the Australian Greek community.
The event concluded with a memorable moment as students, parents, and grandparents eagerly lined up to take photographs with Panathinaikos stars Kalaitzakis and Toliopoulos, creating lasting memories and a connection to the rich history of Greek basketball team.
This historic visit not only celebrated the spirit of sport but also reinforced the enduring bond between Greece and the Greek community in Australia.
