Spyros Kyprianou Sports Center ready to host FIBA EuroBasket 2025

The completed upgrade works at the Spyros Kyprianou Sports Center, which in a few months will host FIBA EuroBasket 2025, have been presented to officials, with Minister of Transport Alexis Vafeades speaking of a "landmark day" for sports and the city of Limassol.

The attendees, accompanied by FIBA Eurobasket mascot Marky Mark, were on 18 June given a tour of the stadium, which has been renovated in line with FIBA's technical and operational specifications at a total cost of €14.5 million.

During the tour of the court, both the Transport Minister of and the other attendees had the opportunity to test their basketball skills, taking their first shots before the big event, which will take place from August 28 to September 4, with the participation of major European basketball stars.

“Today is a landmark day in this great effort to provide infrastructure to all Cypriots so that they can do their best,” Vafeades said in a press conference afterwards.

He also expressed the belief that the upgrade costs are much lower than the benefits that the project itself will bring to future generations, stressing that “this investment is worth every euro spent." He pointed out that similar investments are planned by the government “so that we can enable citizens of all ages to exercise even more.”

Andreas Mouzourides, Cyprus Basketball Federation President, expressed everyone's pride for the final outcome, noting that "we can show Europe that our small, partially occupied homeland can not only host major events, but also lead the way.”

Mark Clerides, President of the Organising Committee for FIBA EuroBasket 2025 in Cyprus, was impressed by the quality of the work and the cooperation with the Department of Public Works and the contractor.

Noting that the Spyros Kyprianou sports center is now a jewel for Limassol, he said that “ways must be found, either by its owner, which is the Cyprus Sports Organisation, or by private individuals, so that everyone can enjoy the benefits this stadium has to offer.”

The works on the stadium were presented on behalf of the contractor by Lysandros Kyriakou, who said that the overall design of the outdoor area involved the construction of a Park & Ride facility, a road network and parking spaces for 607 cars and 6 large buses, the creation of 25 parking spaces for people with disabilities, maintenance of green spaces, corrective road works, and maintenance of outdoor lighting.

He also referred to the upgrades made to the five levels of the sports center, which will be able to temporarily accommodate around 7,800 spectators for FIBA Eurobasket, while its permanent capacity will be 6,800 spectators.

He highlighted, among other things, the installation of electric folding stands with a capacity of 795 seats, the installation of new basketball hoops and parquet flooring, approved by FIBA for Level 1 matches, the expansion and doubling of the changing room facilities, and the complete electrical upgrade of the infrastructure.

(Source: CNA)