The KOPA Annual General Meeting took place last Sunday at the Cypriot Community Centre in Wood Green where all the clubs from the Cypriot Football League UK were able to put their thoughts and points forward for the coming season. Bambos Charalambous the Managing Director of the Parikiaki Newspaper congratulated the KOPA management committee and the clubs for the good work they are doing for the community and informed the clubs that the Parikiaki Newspaper with Laiki, Bank, Omonia Youth and the Radiomarathon Centre are organising a football Competition in aid of charity on June the 24th and asked if any of the KOPA clubs would like to participate.
The meeting was then 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 he gave an analysis on the work done by each member of the KOPA management Committee and congratulated them.
He thanked the sponsors YVA Solicitors the League sponsors, Buzz Sweets the Cup sponsors and Cyprus Airways for their support. He also thanked Tony Kleanthous the Chairman of Barnet FC for allowing them to use Barnet FC, Underhill Stadium for the KOPA Challenge Cup Final.
Laki then thanked the Youth management and Subcommittee for the progress they made this season.
There was a big thank you also for the Media for publicising their League the newspapers Parikiaki, Eleftheria, London Greek Radio and RIK TV from Cyprus.
The future for the League, Lakis spoke about how the League should progress.
It was then the turn of the General Secretary of KOPA Michael Yiakoumi to speak who said that he had thoroughly enjoyed working with the Clubs and hoped that the clubs were pleased with his contribution. He stressed that the League will always have problems and that it is very important they highlight the League through the media. He pointed out that the Challenge Cup Final at Barnet FC was the first time that a KOPA game had been played at a Football League Stadium. The Annual Presentation was a major success and that both these events would be shown on TV in Cyprus.
Increased media in Cyprus has produced a closer relationship with Cyprus and with KOA the Cypriot Sports Organisation who are working and funding the KOPA- KOA initiative of having community Youth representative teams and thaythey have planned a trip to Cyprus for the Youth Under 18 representative team in October with the intention of playing two teams of the same age group.
Last season was the first time that the new system of Passport ID became part of the League player registration process.
The achievements of the clubs were then noted Pre season the League had the Costas Petrides 7 a side tournament which New Salamis won with Tripimeni Runners up. In the League sponsored by YVA Solicitors the First Division Championship was won by New Salamis and runners up Tripimeni relegated were Aradippou followed by Omonia then Dynamo. The Second division Championship was won by Apoel, runners up Olympia and also promoted Maronites.
In the Cup tournaments sponsored by Buzz Sweets the Challenge Cup was won by Rizokarpasso with finalists Cetinkaya Cinar the Division One cup was won by Tripimeni with finalists Brotherhood. The Division two cup was won by Apoel with finalists Pantel. Also Tripimeni were beaten finalists in the LFA Cup.
Michael Yiakoumi finished by thanking all the Clubs on behalf of the League management committee for all their cooperation and wished them good luck for next season.
Last year’s Vice Chairman Michalakis Michael read out the letter sent by his Eminence Archbishop Gregorios who thanked KOPA for the donation of £1,000 to the Greek Relief Fund. Michalakis then thanked KOA the Cypriot Sports Organisation for the 10,000 Euros they have put aside for the community Youth representative teams.
An analysis of the accounts was presented by the treasurer Soteris Chaklides and explained that funds had been invested in the Youth programme and the League website. The accounts were then approved.
A new club was introduced to the meeting Asha FC and their secretary Alkis Georgiou spoke about their club and the AGM approved their entry into the League.
The Chairman and General Secretary positions were unopposed so Lakis Chrysostomou and Michael Yiakoumi remain in their respective positions.
New members have been added to the KOPA management committee Chris Athanassi, Yiannis Koumettou and Constantinos Roussis .
The new committee is
Chairman Lakis Chrysostomou who has served the League in various positions and it is his eighth year as Chairman of the League. He is currently the Director of the Citizens Advice Bureau at Haringay Council.
General Secretary Michael Yiakoumi is a founder member of the League. He is the compiler of several books notably the book Cypriots Worldwide a Who’s Who Directory and co publisher of the Greek Rich List he is also a sports columnist for the Parikiaki Newspaper.
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 was Vice Chairman of the League last season. He is the treasurer and former 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.
Nick Demetriades last year’s Registration secretary is a player and Secretary of Maronites FC and accounts manager at Venus PLC.
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 Athanassi a new member is 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.
Yiannis Koumettou a new member is the Chairman of Brotherhood FC and a Chartered Accountant by trade, he is a keen snowboarder.
Constantinos Roussis a new member is a Brunel University graduate in Journalism and a sports presenter on London Greek Radio.
