The KOPA Annual General Meeting took place last Sunday at the Cypriot Community Centre in Wood Green where the clubs from the Cypriot Football League UK were able to put their thoughts and points forward for the coming season.
The meeting was formally opened by the General Secretary of KOPA Michael Yiakoumi who read out the register of the clubs and the minutes from last season which was approved by the Clubs.
Chairman of KOPA Lakis Chrysostomou then gave a report on last season and reported on the mishaps as well as the good things and how he hopes the league will progress next season. He then gave an analysis on the work done by each member of the KOPA management Committee and congratulated them.
He also welcomed the press that attended the meeting George Michaelides from the Parikiaki Newspaper, Nikos Papadopoulos from Eleftheria newspaper, and Petros Michael from the Podosphero magazine who he also congratulated for being a League partner this season and added that the league have maintained good relationships with the media. He also mentioned that the League had a lot of exposure in Cyprus with filming of the KOPA league games by the Cyprus National TV station RIK TV and radio coverage from LGR.
It was then the turn of the General Secretary of KOPA Michael Yiakoumi who reflected on the season just ending. A brief description of what teams achieved and the particular highlights of the season. He congratulated New Salamis going on tour to Cyprus and playing New Salamis Cyprus losing 1-0 and defeating Anayennisis Derynia 8-2.
The manager of the Cyprus National team Bambos Christodoulou requesting a meeting with the KOPA League to try and help him in trying to attract players from the UK to play for the Cyprus National sides and also to make an effort for the League representative team to play the Cyprus Senior National team after they play Wales in the European Nations Cup.
The General Secretary then mentioned the sad loss of one of the legends of the KOPA League Nick Kyprianou the former manager of Omonia and New Salamis and that a minute silence was observed in his honour at all League games the following Sunday.
Michael then read out the winners and runners up of all the League trophies.
The financial accounts were then reported by the treasurer Soteris Chaklides and approved by the AGM.
Then all the officials gave reports of their work for the season and also presented facts such as the results secretary Chris Athanasi giving a list of leading scorers in the league, top referees and the registration Secretary Nick Demetriades gave a report of the players statistics mentioning 639 players were signed for last season.
Election
At the AGM only the Chairman and the General Secretary are elected the Chairman and General Secretary were unopposed so Lakis Chrysostomou remains Chairman and Michael Yiakoumi General Secretary.
Six new members were nominated and accepted at the AGM
Kypros Kypriannou, Kyri Kyriacou, Jack Marcou, George Panayi, Jon Pishiri and Andreas Sifounas
From the existing committee remaining are Kokos Georgiou, Soteris Chaklides, Michalakis Michael, Chris Athanasi, Andreas Aristotelous, Yiannis Koumettou and Andreas Anastasiou
The meeting ended at 12.45pm and the club members from the AGM went on and enjoyed a buffet served by the Cypriot Community Centre.
Committee
Chairman Lakis Chrysostomou who has served the League in various positions and it is his tenth year as Chairman of the League. He was the Chief Executive of the Citizens Advice Bureau at Haringay Council. Was secretary of Dynamo FC
General Secretary Michael Yiakoumi is a founder member of the League. He is the publisher of several books notably Cypriots Worldwide a Who’s Who Directory and co publisher of the Greek Rich List. He is also a sports columnist and radio correspondent. Its his fifth year as General Secretary.
Other members are
Michalakis Michael a veteran of the League played for New Salamis and the Cyprus National team and Aekon in the KOPA League. He is the Chairman of New Salamis UK and is a partner in the family fish and chip shop business.
Soteris Chaklides is an accountant and has served as treasurer of the League for several years. He was previously a Chairman of Ermis Football Club.
Kokos Georgiou who has been responsible for the Youth in recent years is a food distributor played for Aetos and Dynamo and was Chairman of Aris FC. Secretary of Anorthosis.
Andreas Aristotelous another experienced stalwart of KOPA has been involved with the League for several years. He is an electrician by trade and Vice Chairman of Apoel FC.
Chris Athanasi was the manager of Pendayia he was a player in KOPA with Dynamo FC. Carerra, and Orpheas .Later went on to be assistant manager at Komi Kebir. He is the Sales manager of one of the leading importers of Marble & Granite in the UK.Chris was last years results secretary.
Yiannis Koumettou is the Chairman of Brotherhood FC and was the League fixtures secretary last season and a Chartered Accountant by trade, he is a keen snowboarder.
Kypros Kyprianou is the Group Chief Executive Officer for Theo Paphitis’ group of companies and KOPA player (Omonia, AEL, New Salamis and Captain of KOPA representative team).
Jon Pishiri is a partner in Jon Christopher Chartered Surveyors and an assessor for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors for which he is their London residential spokesman. And an ardent Arsenal fan.
George Panayi is an accountant and loves sport and is involved with Barnet Tennis Club and Edmonton Eagles Boxing Club.
Jack Marcou is an accountant and manager of Pantel FC and proud to be part of the KOPA League.
Andreas Sifounas is the sales manager at CYTA UK and Chairman of Omonia (London).
Kyriacos Kyriacou is an employment law practitioner and General Secretary of Achna FC
Andreas Anastasiou who has refereed in the KOPA League for several seasons is taking over from Dave Thomas as Referee secretary for the coming season. Andreas from Kontea in Cyprus has refereed since 1987 and is a level 3 referee and on the FA panel of referees and is an FA linesman on their contributory leagues such as the Conference and Rymans League and FA Cup games.
