Nicosia: President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides received the Olympiacos Piraeus basketball team at the Presidential Palace on Friday, ahead of its participation in the 'Neophytos Chandriotis' international tournament in Nicosia. European champions Olympiacos are taking part alongside Red Star Belgrade, Aris Thessaloniki, and Maccabi Tel Aviv in the tournament, held on September 11 and 13 at the Tassos Papadopoulos-Eleftheria indoor arena.

According to Cyprus News Agency, President Christodoulides expressed his support for Olympiacos, proudly declaring his allegiance to the team. He emphasized Cyprus's pride in hosting the European champions and providing local fans with the opportunity to watch top basketball players. The President mentioned the government's £17 million investment in sports infrastructure, highlighting its significance for the younger generation. He also noted Cyprus's recent hosting of a EuroBasket group.

President Christodoulides informed Olympiacos coach Georgios Bartzokas of his intention to attend the team's game against Red Star at 21:00 on Friday. Olympiacos General Manager Nikos Lepeniotis expressed the club's delight in returning to Cyprus as European champions and thanked local fans for their warm reception. Additionally, he extended an invitation from club presidents Panayotis and Georgios Angelopoulos for President Christodoulides to visit Olympiacos in Athens and attend a game at the renovated Peace and Friendship Stadium.

Coach Bartzokas also thanked the President for the reception and invited him to Athens. Friday's programme includes Aris Thessaloniki against Maccabi Tel Aviv at 18:00, with Aris facing Red Star at 15:45 and Olympiacos playing Maccabi at 18:00 on Sunday.