Visit Of The British Amateur Delegation To Cyprus For The Promotion Of Boxing As A Means For Social Inclusion

On Friday 23rd of February the ‘ Yianis Christodoulou Foundation’ visited the Athletic School of Laniteio Lyceum in Limassol accompanied by a delegation from the UK among of which were young athletes-boxers, coaches and referees. The students of the Athletic School welcomed the athletes from England Boxing - Merseyside and Cheshire Region, from Rotunda and Kirkade ABC Boxing Clubs. Among the delegation were two professional boxers: Ryan Burnett (Ireland – WBA KAI IBF 2017 and 2018) and Mike Arnaoutis (Greece with world wins in the USA) who were invited by the ‘Yianis Christodoulou Foundation’ to support this initiative. ​The Supervisor of the Athletic School Mr Errikos Andreou welcomed the delegation and the representatives of the ‘Yianis Christodoulou Foundation’ and presented the mission, aims and the way that the Athletic School operates. The Leader of the UK delegation Mr Gerard Starkey (Rotunda ABC) and Director of the ‘Inclusive Hub’ and Mr John Warburton, Educational Coach of England Boxing expressed their gratitude for the hospitality and warm welcome. Both Mr Starkey and Mr Warburton presented the work being done in the UK for utilising non-contact boxing as a way to promote social inclusion of vulnerable groups of students, to promote empowerment and acquisition of soft skills essential for young people to become active citizens. The young boxers from the UK had the opportunity to meet the Cypriots athletes and the sports they specialise in. They talked about their efforts to reach their highest performance, their common interests and their concerns for the future. The Cypriot students had the opportunity to gain a first-hand experience of boxing by wearing the boxing gloves and be guided into the basic techniques. The two professional boxers, apart from signing autograph and taking part in photos, they had the opportunity to share with all students their experience as professionals. The Founder of the ‘Yianis Christodoulou Foundation’ Mr Christodoulou emphasised the benefits of sports, as well as the importance of being focused and determined to reach out to become champions in their sport. The ‘Yianis Christodoulou Foundation’ would like to express its gratitude to all participants from Greece, Cyprus, Ireland and the UK for their support in its initiative to promote boxing as a means not only for keeping fit and healthy, but also for promoting social inclusion and equality.