EU Directors-General for Sport meeting in Nicosia focuses on three key priorities

According to a press release issued by the Cyprus Sport Organisation (ΚΟΑ), the Organisation’s President, Yiannis Ioannou
Physical activity to promote health, mental health and well-being in sport, and sports diplomacy and cooperation in the Mediterranean are the three key priorities of the two-day meeting of EU Directors-General for Sport, taking place on Wednesday and Thursday in Nicosia, in the context of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union, with the participation of senior officials from EU member states and representatives of the European Commission.
According to a press release issued by the Cyprus Sport Organisation (ΚΟΑ), the Organisation’s President, Yiannis Ioannou, welcomed the European officials on behalf of the Cypriot Presidency, underlining in his opening address the importance of physical activity in policy-making.
He outlined the three priorities of the meeting, noting that the first concerns physical activity that improves health. Despite progress at the policy level, participation rates remain low, he said, highlighting that strong policy frameworks must now be accompanied by effective implementation and cooperation. The second priority focuses on mental health and well-being in sport, stressing that the creation of safer and more supportive sporting environments is not optional but a collective responsibility. The third priority concerns sports diplomacy and cooperation in the Mediterranean region.
The meeting was chaired by the Deputy Director-General of the CSO, Vassos Koutsiountas, who welcomed, in addition to the EU Directors-General for Sport, representatives of Mediterranean countries who were invited to participate. He then presented the priorities and key milestones of the Cypriot Presidency in the field of sport.
The first day of discussions focused on policies promoting health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) and their role in improving public health, well-being and social cohesion in Europe. Participants exchanged views on existing HEPA policies, the links between sport, health and education, and the evaluation of policy effectiveness. Particular emphasis was placed on bridging the gap between strong policy frameworks and tangible increases in physical activity levels.
The programme also included a presentation by fitness consultant, Romeo Mendes, on the outcomes of a Peer Learning Activity carried out in Cyprus on brief physical activity counselling.
At the same time, the Cypriot Presidency presented national initiatives aimed at promoting physical activity and a healthy lifestyle, underlining the importance of exchanging good practices among member states. The Inspector of Physical Education at the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth, Theoti Pourou, and the President of the Department of Health, Life and Health Sciences at Frederick University, Elena Papakosta, presented and elaborated on the Ministry’s national programme “Aristotle CyFIT”.
In addition, the results of the Erasmus+ programme “Shaping EU Sport” were presented by Koutsiountas and the Estonian project partner Kairis Ulp. The first day of the meeting concluded with a presentation of the priorities of the Irish Presidency, which will succeed the Cypriot Presidency.
The meeting wraps up on Thursday with thematic sessions focusing on mental health and well-being in sport, as well as cooperation in the field of sport in the Mediterranean region.
Source: CNA