Federation presidents take us through the less heralded sports taking Cyprus by storm

In Cyprus, where the sporting landscape is dominated by the familiar titans of football and basketball, it is often the less heralded games that yield glory.

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, fencer Alex Tofalides carried the Cyprus flag, while rowers Anna Ioannou, Rares Nechita and Alexandros Zismidis have enjoyed major success on the international scene. Meanwhile, golf in Cyprus has shed its elitist veneer, with the Cyprus Golf Federation successfully – albeit serendipitously – hosting a European Tour event in 2020, demonstrating that the island can provide a platform for the game at its highest level. Below, the Presidents of the Cyprus Federations for fencing, rowing and golf share an insightful look into the current state of their respective sports and discuss the formidable challenges they confront in nurturing these disciplines in the face of scant official support.

Dr Demetris Papapetrou, President of the Cyprus Golf Federation

Dr Demetris Papapetrou, President of the Cyprus Golf Federation, discusses how golf is shedding its image as a rich man’s game, looks at the pressing need for a driving range in Nicosia, and examines the sport’s role in helping Cyprus transform into a year-round tourism destination.

What drew you to the sport in the first place?

My first contact with golf was completely accidental. One day, I found out that my neighbours played golf at Dhekelia, at a time when there were no green courses in Cyprus. That was some 35 years ago and golf has been a priority ever since. In 1998-99, we got together with some other golfers in Nicosia, mostly Cypriots from England, and once we numbered about 20, we formed the Nicosia Golf Club and later the Cyprus Golf Federation, with Nicos Severis as our first president. Golf is not just a sport but a philosophy that changes your life. The vast majority of golfers are addicted – there is a fascination with the game and with being better the next time you are on the course.

Can you provide insights into the sport’s impact on the local economy, particularly as a tourism product?

When the golf courses in Europe close in the winter due to snow, people come south to play golf. Our golf tourism season, and the main season of the clubs, begins in October and finishes at the end of April, with a little interval around Christmas. It means that golf tourism fills the gap left by summer tourism; nobody will play golf in 40 degrees Celsius. And golf tourists tend to spend more money.

What changes would you like to see implemented to improve the long-term sustainability of the sport in Cyprus?

As a Federation, we organise four to five major competitions for juniors, ladies and seniors every year, with the Cyprus Amateur Open being the flagship competition since it is a points event for the European Golf Association. While we have had remarkable success in organising these competitions, we need to improve the entry conditions for players. From the moment they set foot in the country, they shouldn’t spend one euro. However, the Federation does not have the financial strength to offer that, so this is where we would expect more support from the Government. The biggest golfing event in Cyprus was hosting The European Tour at the Aphrodite Hills Golf Course in 2020; it was supposed to be held in Shanghai but was redirected due to the pandemic. We organised a bubble situation, which means there weren’t a lot of attendees but the four-day event was broadcast live on Sky Sports. We are still reaping the benefits of this one ‘accidental’ event – when we ask people why they are coming to Cyprus for golf, they frequently mention it. Despite that, we still don’t receive much support from the Government. When organising a big competition, you don’t want the money per se, but rather a bank guarantee so that everyone feels safe. In the last couple of years, a group of our youngsters have enjoyed some international success but when we asked the Government for support, it hinged on winning a medal. We shouldn’t expect a beginner to bring back a medal! To see results, you have to invest in players. Success doesn’t fall from the sky like a ball making a hole in one!

Constantinos Taliotis, President of the Cyprus Fencing Federation

Constantinos Taliotis, President of the Cyprus Fencing Federation, discusses the invaluable skills gained from modern fencing and the strategies needed to ensure the sport’s long-term sustainability.

What drew you to the sport in the first place?

In 2012, my then-10-year-old son Alexandros accidentally came across a fencing training session in Nicosia. He found this “gentlemen with swords” scene inspiring and noble and that’s how this fascinating journey started! Alex started training and competing locally and internationally and we travelled together to many competitions and countries; this helped us develop a close father-son bond and a great relationship. Competing against world-class fencers gave Alex increased discipline, organisational skills, resilience and strategic thinking; in my opinion, these are all essential life skills. This journey has taught me a few things too and brought us closer as a family. In Cyprus, fencing relies on volunteers, parents and other relatives of the athletes. The Federation has a substantial workload, including the work needed to support athletes competing internationally (including Cypriot athletes who live abroad) organising national competitions and the necessary admin work. Four years ago, I decided to contribute more to the Federation as Secretary-General. Two years ago, I assumed the position of the President.

How accessible is fencing in Cyprus and what is the typical profile of individuals attracted to the sport?

Most clubs in Cyprus train in school sports facilities, so access is straightforward. Qualified coaches support athletes in all districts where clubs operate and their knowledge is periodically enhanced through further training in Cyprus and abroad. The European and International Federations support this area; the Cyprus Fencing Federation retains an excellent relationship with both organisations. Fees remain at very acceptable levels compared to other sports and I know that clubs provide the necessary fencing equipment during the initial months of training. Anybody can get into fencing; the minimum age is seven and there is even a ‘veterans’ category. Most athletes in Cyprus are currently in the under-17 category.

What changes would you like to see implemented to improve the long-term sustainability of the sport in Cyprus?

This is an excellent question. Allow me to revert to the ancient Greek philosophers here! Plato taught us that without honest self-criticism, there is no self-knowledge and without knowledge, there can be no improvement of oneself. If everybody dealing with the sport of fencing in Cyprus were to try and align even more with the above, I believe that the long-term sustainability of the sport would be ensured. The CFF and I are here to follow that and do our best to facilitate the journey, recognising the invaluable role that each one who loves the sport plays in this collective effort. I can assure you that it is a journey worth taking!

Yiannis Charalambous, President of the Cyprus Rowing Federation

Yiannis Charalambous, President of the Cyprus Rowing Federation, discusses the significant challenges facing the sport in Cyprus and the urgent need to improve infrastructure and train more coaches.

What drew you to the sport in the first place?

My involvement in rowing started somewhat accidentally. After finishing my studies in the late ‘90s, I worked as a sports conditioning coach for various athletes and Board members of nautical clubs in Limassol. One of my clients, the leader of the rowing department at the Limassol Nautical Club, requested my assistance in coaching the rowing team due to a lack of available coaches. Despite my initial hesitation, I agreed to help and stayed as the coach for eight years. Following that, I served as a national coach for five years. In 2008, a group of friends and I founded the Nereus Rowing Club at Ypsonas, where I served as one of the Presidents. Three months ago, following the resignation of the former President of the Federation, I was nominated by local nautical clubs to run for the presidency, a role I accepted and subsequently won in the federation elections.

Compared to other sports, like football and basketball, rowing lags behind in popularity in Cyprus, even though we are surrounded by water. Why is that the case and have you noticed an uptick in interest over the years?

Unfortunately, rowing is not a sport for the masses for several reasons. It requires a specialised environment such as seas or water reservoirs, the equipment is very expensive and extensive hours of teaching and monitoring are necessary before one can train independently. Additionally, many people still confuse rowing with kayaking and dragon boating. However, there has been a noticeable shift in perceptions, largely due to Cypriots who have studied abroad and become familiar with the sport. The success of athletes like Stephanos Douskos – the Olympic gold medallist – and the strong performance of the Greek rowing team have also contributed significantly to the sport’s recognition in Cyprus.

What changes would you like to see implemented to improve the long-term sustainability of the sport in Cyprus?

I would focus on the development of a comprehensive rowing infrastructure programme, including establishing more accessible rowing facilities across the island, providing better equipment and training resources and fostering a stronger connection between rowing clubs and local communities. By investing in infrastructure, we can lower entry barriers. Additionally, increasing youth engagement through school programmes and community outreach initiatives can help cultivate a new generation of rowers, ensuring the sport’s growth and sustainability. At the moment, though, I would say that educating and training more coaches is one of my personal goals. Don’t get me wrong, the level of our coaches, especially for such a small island, is excellent. However, with the burden of developing the sport on both beginner and elite levels falling on the same shoulders year after year, it’s time to show them our support across multiple levels – morally, financially and with well-educated entry-level coaches to share the weight of responsibilities.

(Photos by TASPHO)

(The full version of this article first appeared in the 2024 edition of The Cyprus Journal of Wealth Management, commissioned by Eurobank Cyprus and published by IMH. Click here to view the article. Click here to view the entire magazine online.)