Cyprus announces increased athletic funding and a new national sports council

On September 16, 2026, during an event at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia marking 40 years of sports cooperation between Cyprus and Greece, President Nikos Christodoulides announced major policy shifts for the national sports sector. The government has approved the establishment of a National Sports Council, a scientific body tasked with developing a formal proposal to create a dedicated Deputy Ministry of Sports to improve strategic management and expertise in the field.

Simultaneously, the President announced a doubling of financial support for Cypriot athletes preparing for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games. The state sponsorship will increase from the 350,000 euros provided for the 2024 Paris cycle to 700,000 euros. This budget increase is already approved, and the funding program is scheduled to be implemented by the Cyprus Sports Organization (KOA) starting January 1, 2027. The event also featured the recognition of historic figures who contributed to the long-standing sports protocol between Greece and Cyprus.