A memorandum of sports cooperation with one of China’s most historic cities, Nanjing, has been signed by the Sailing Federation.
A delegation from the Nanjing municipal authority came to Greece to conclude agreements with the Athens Municipality, the Ministry of Tourism and the Sailing Federation. The agreements include cooperation in culture, tourism and sports.
Nanjing, a city of 9.5 million inhabitants and with enormous economic power, hosted the 2014 Youth Olympic Games.
It is considered the Olympic City of China, which places a special emphasis on sailing, and for this reason it chose and proposed to the EIO to jointly initiate a diversified collaboration.
The Sailing Federation administration gladly accepted the proposal and this is normal, as it will have the opportunity to further promote the modern International Sailing Center at Kallithea Nautical Marina to the whole world and at the same time hopes that new paths will be opened for the athletes and their coaches.
The Chinese delegation, led by the Secretary of the Nanjing Government Office, Dai Qinghai, visited the EOI offices and met with the chairman and members of the Board of Directors, to whom they said it was an honor to have the cooperation of the two most ancient civilizations and have great projects.
The agreement with the EIO includes everything from the organisation of races and other sporting events in Athens and Nanjing, to the co-organisation of international competitions, athlete exchanges, youth camps, coaching schools and various actions that will contribute to the development of sailing at a global level.
On behalf of the EIO, the memorandum with the Chinese was signed by the vice-president and representative of the EOE, Stefanos Handakas, who was speaking at a forum organized in a central Athens hotel in the presence of the mayor of the Chinese city.
Among other things, Handakas stressed that Greece, through the “Athens International Sailing Center”, opens the doors of Europe to Nanjing and hopes that Chinese athletes and coaches will welcome them, believing in a great collaboration.