Dimitris Palalas, legendary AEL Limassol basketball figure, dies at 68

Dimitris Palalas, an iconic figure in Cypriot basketball and a long-time member of AEL Limassol, passed away on September 28, 2026, at the age of 68. Born in Limassol on April 26, 1958, he joined the club at the age of 12 and made his debut with the senior team during the 1973-74 season, helping secure the club's first-ever championship. Throughout his 16-year career with AEL, which concluded in 1988, he won eight league titles and a total of 14 trophies, setting a record that remains a hallmark of his legacy.

Beyond his achievements as a player, including being named the top basketball player by the Union of Sports Journalists of Cyprus in 1979 when he was also the league's top scorer, Palalas served his team and the sport in various roles. He worked as a coach, administrator, and technical director for AEL, and was a founder of the club's women's basketball department. His death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from the Cypriot Basketball Federation, political parties like DISY, and the broader sports community, all honoring his lifetime contribution to the sport.