In the presence of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, representatives of political and civic life of the island and the entire sports and football world aswell, the Charity – Voluntary Football Players Association called “Goal in Life” was officially presented on Monday night (15/5).

The important event was held at the Presidential House and was honoured with the presence of the president of Cyprus Sports Organisation, Mr Kleanthis Georgiades, president of Cyprus Football Assosiation Mr Kostakis Koutsokoumnis, President of Cyprus Olympic Committee Mr Ntinos Michaelides, the Commissioner of Volunteerism and Non Governmental Organisations Mr Yiannis Yiannaki, presidents and coaches of our football teams and many football players, active and veterans. Of course there were representatives of the supporting companies of the Association and the beautiful mascot of “Goal in Life”.

“Goal in Life” was formed last January aiming to present and promote the human side of football and football players, Cypriots and foreigners, active and veterans. Founding members are Cypriot football players representing  teams from every city in Cyprus and almost all teams playing in the first division.

First Goal in Life by the President of the Republic of Cyprus                                                                                                                                                                     Extreme essence was caused by the ceremony in which the President of the Republic of Cyprus Mr Nicos Anastasiades scored the first “GOAL” in Life by shooting in a small terminal facing against the beautiful Mascot of the Organisation. To everyone’s surprise under the Mascot was hidden the goalkeeper Antonis Giorgallides.

Guests were touched by the performance of Nicoleta Leivadhioti, a girl with reduced eyesight, in singing the song “Kato ap’ton idio ourano”  a composition by the famous musician Mr Aristos Moschovakis and lyrics by Mrs Yioula Georgiou which was accompanied on stage by students of the sign language teacher Mrs Phani Anastasiou of “Taksidi sti Siopi” school for sign language.

FOUNDING MEMBERS
Nektarios Aleksandrou, Yiasemakis Yiasemi, Antonis Giorgallides, Angelos Efthimiou, Giorgos Efraim, Kristis Theofilou, Yiannos Ioannou, Tasos Kissas, Giorgos Kolokoudias, Simos Krassas, Constantinos Makrides, Marios Nicolaou, Panikkos Xiourouppas, Giorgos Economides, Yiannos Okkas, Constantinos Panayi, Koullis Pavlou, Pampos Pittas, Valentinos Sielis, Constantinos Charalambides, Elias Charalambous, Demetris Christofi.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Constantinos Charalambides President
Panikkos Xiourouppas Vice President
Nectarios Alexandrou Secretary
Giorgos Efraim Organisational Secretary
Koullis Pavlou Treasurer
Antonis Giorgallides Treasurer Assistant
Kristis Theofilou Member
Tasos Kissas Member
Constantinos Makrides Member
Constantinos Panayi Member
Elias Charalambous Member

 

UEFA Support
“Goal in Life” has already achieved to establish the support from UEFA, through UEFA Foundation for Children, representatives of which were recently in Cyprus discussing ways to reinforce and fund the projects of the Football Players Assosiation.

The purpose of «Goal in Life» is to financially assist all socially vulnerable groups by giving a powerful message to everyone that footballers are united ready for productive and helpful action.

«To give back in Society»
«We use the dynamic that footballers have as people with  influence and aim through our action, to sweep away the layers of society and actually help people in need but also send important messages in every direction.» emphasised on the part of the Board of Directors during the presentation of the footballers initiative, the President Mr Constantinos Charalambides. «Moreover it’s a way for us to reciprocate, as much as possible, all the benefits they earned through football towards fans and society in general» he added.

Main recources of “Goal in Life” are funding, revenue generated from events and actions, member subscriptions that can be from active or veteran football players, physical entities, companies or even other organisation and donations.

The Diamond Sponsors of “Goal in Life” are OPAP Cyprus, the company Petrolina and Bank of Cyprus. Official sponsor is Alphamega Hypermarkets and Gold Sponsors are AJK Wealth Management, Charalambos Pilakoutas Group, K. Treppides & Co Ltd, University of Nicosia, Zorbas Bakeries, Symeonides Group of Companies and Photos Photiades Group.

Services and not only provision are provided from Ad&theCity Advertising Agency, online platform ThinkCrm, Film and Broadcasting company SEMIO, CopyTeX Copy Centre & Design Services, Legal Services Σάββας Μάτσας LLC, audit and accountant services from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), gift store Panayiotides, Lemon Park event hall, Mr Panda Design Studio, printing company Landas, 7Q Financial Services, G&TH Zisimou Real Estate Agency, ACS Courier and advertising agency Telia & Pavla BBDO.

The first actions
For the remaing 2017, “Goal in Life” has planned a series of events and actions reaching the peak on December with the organisation of the football All Star Game/ Fan Day.

Noteworthy was the announcement of the collaboration between “Goal in Life” and the Ministry of Education and Culture which will support schools of Cyprus starting from the upcoming school year 2017-18. Particularly:

  • Will support the Special Education Units at a Public Mainstream School.
  • Will provide a funding at a chosen student, always in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Culture.
  • Will take part in actions organised by the Ministry of Education and Culture with the main issue as “prevention of violence and delinquency  in sports”
  • Football Players will provide psychological support towards children that are facing serious social problems.

At the same time, one of the most immediate goals of the organisation is to financially support the departments of Archibichop Makarios III Hospital and moreover help the departments regarding cancer afflicted children.