There is cautious optimism that Limassol’s Tsirio stadium might undergo the maintenance work required to allow it to continue its operation for football and athletics, and attract sports tourism, following the raising of the issue, and representations made to that effect by the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The president of the Chamber, Andreas Tsouloftas, stresses that it is inconceivable for Limassol to have only one stadium for football matches and that Tsirio must be immediately maintained, with the assistance of the state, so that it does become unusable. Also that young people are in need of spaces to engage in sports, in addition to the possibility of hosting sports teams from abroad, especially in winter time, generating significant income for Limassol.
The LCCI has included Tsirio in a letter with the major projects, which it will discuss in a meeting it will have, with the competent Minister. Meanwhile, the Education Committee of the House of Representatives dealt with Tsirio following a proposal by MPs Stavros Papadouris, Pavlos Mylonas, Andreas Kafkalias, Andreas Themistokleous, Fotini Tsiridou and Christos Orfanides. At the instigation of the committee, Olymia Gymastics Club (GSO) will convene a new meeting in Limassol of all stakeholders, in the presence of MPs, to exchange views on how the problems can be resolved.
GSO President Kyriakos Tsolakis told us that the organization's suggestion is for the meeting to take place on Friday, July 14, in Tsirio, so that the site can be inspected. He noted that he submitted to parliament a timeline with 49 points from the date of submission of the application for the required maintenance project until today, which demonstrates GSO's efforts for this to be implemented. As well as that GSO had paid €45.000 to obtain a permit from the Limassol Municipality.
The area of Tsirio and the surrounding areas amounts to 122.000 square meters, of which 1/3 belongs to the GSO, 1/3 to the Archbishop and 1/3 to the Metropolitan of Limassol, but management is with GSO. The Limassol MPs who signed the issue stressed that Tsirio is a reference point for the city and should be given the value it deserves. Above all, however, that the repair of the roof and the stands, which is postponed from year to year, should proceed and then a master plan should be drawn up for the wider use of the area. The Amateur Athletic Association of Cyprus (KOEAS) indicated that due to its location and orientation, Tsirio is ideal for great performance in track and field events, hence the demand it has even from world-class athletes.
