Health Minister promotes drug prevention through veteran football tournament

Health Minister Neophytos Charalambides addressed a press conference on October 5, 2026, to announce the 22nd annual veteran football tournament against drugs. The event is dedicated to the memory of the late Phivos Constantinides, a former director of the GSP stadium. The tournament aims to use sports as a vehicle to promote the message of drug prevention among young people, carrying the slogan "My goal is life, not my life a target.

Participants in the upcoming games include veteran players from major clubs Apoel, Omonia, and Olympiacos Nicosia, as well as representatives from the Cyprus Referees Association. Minister Charalambides emphasized that addressing addiction requires a multifaceted approach involving consistent social support, reliable information, and improved communication between families and youth. He noted that sports foster essential values such as self-discipline, cooperation, and respect for rules, providing a constructive outlet for young individuals. The initiative highlights the necessity of community engagement in helping both addicts who struggle to seek help and the families affected by these challenges.