First day of the 64th Matseia track and field event in Nicosia

The 64th Matseia track and field games, organized by the Praxandros Kyrenia Gymnastic Club in honor of EOKA hero Kyriakos Matsis, began on May 15, 2026, at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia. The event is scheduled for May 15 and 17, 2026, with a pause on May 16 due to a scheduled football match. Harsh weather conditions, characterized by low temperatures and strong, unpredictable winds, negatively affected athlete performance and led to challenges in recording valid results for speed events and jumps. Despite the conditions, the girls' team from the Evagoras Famagusta Gymnastic Club set a new competition record in the 4x100m relay. The competition serves as a qualifying opportunity for athletes aiming to reach entry standards for the U20 World Championships and the U18 European Championships. The Matseia games have been a tradition since 1949, originally known as the Kyrenia regional games, before being renamed in 1961.