We have had a pleasure to talk with Mr. Nikos Perros, main organizer of Masters that will be held on Corfu Greece for two weeks. Below you can find his thoughts about this tournament and beach handball in general. Enjoy.
Hello, please introduce yourself and tell us something about your life, job.
I am 49 years old, a PE teacher. I teach handball at Corfu sports high school. I am also an official handball trainer and responsible for development at the region of western Greece.
As a main co-organizer of a beach handball Masters tournament – what are your expectations for the following tournament?
I expect to see handball develop further in Corfu, both in court and on the beach. Actually, all our effort is aimed at this target. Corfu is well-known for its handball all over Greece, as several important Corfiot players have played in the national team of Greece. Two Corfiot players live and play at professional level in Germany (Magdeburg & Stralzunter handball clubs)
How long have you been active in beach handball? Do you also organize some other tournaments, Meliti cup maybe?
We first started to organize beach handball tournaments in Corfu in 1998, when the local teams participated. In 1999 we organized a tournament on Issos beach, as part of the pan-hellenic championships. Meliti Cup is simply the natural development of that effort.
EBT Masters is taking place in Aghios Georgios on Corfu, please tell us some useful information about Ag. Georgios?
Agios Georgios is a village which is at the greatest proximity from Issos beach, even though it doesn’t belong to Meliti municipality. Issos is part of the traditional village of Chlomos in Meliti municipality, after which our tournament is named.
It is quite a pretty tourist resort, with lots of entertainment facilities for people of all ages. Moreover, the most important attraction of the region is its natural environment, as here you can visit a marvelous beach, sand hills, the Korissia lagoon, as well as unique flaura and fauna. The area is part of the NATURA network for the protection of nature.
Can You describe the location of the playing field? Is it exactly at the beach? Are you planning to install the spectators area and for how many spectators?
The playing field is right on the beach, there is parking space provided to accommodate about 500 vehicles, while tiers will be put into place for approximately 600 people, and 500 more people will be able to be accommodated. You can view the area if you visit the website www.meliticup.gr and also through Google Earth
Do you expect a lot of people to be interested into watching the games of beach handball?
Yes, the emphasis of our promotion is to attract mainly the locals, as well as the tourists.
Are there lights on the playing field? Will there be a night matches?
No, there are no lights. As mentioned before, the area is protected, so we have to be very careful and we mustn’t make any permanent interventions. The program will have to be adjusted with games taking place from early in the morning till sunset… unless too many games end level!!!
What do you know about participating teams and which of them do you see in final matches?
Quite a few teams are known from the result of their tournament games, others through their fancy websites. I am sure that they would all be very well prepared!
Can you tell us something about beach handball in Greece? What is the system of championship?
In Greece new friends, participants and spectators come to handball every year. Last year, several members of the national men and women teams of Greece were from Corfu, which offers motive to others. The Greek championship has five or six remarkable tournament, the best of which is Meliti Cup, in our mind.
How many teams are there in Greece, approximately?
In the 2007-2008 term we officially had 12 men and 6 women teams with approximately 200 athletes. We unofficially know many places in Greece which organise local tournaments, which stay unrated. Moreover, we have about 25 referees, 20 keepers 6 observers. Last year, 190 official games took place. For two of them a money award was offered.
What Greece beach handball tournament are well organized (number of teams and quality, price money, atmosphere)?
In the 2007-2008 term we officially had 12 men and 6 women teams with approximately 200 athletes. We unofficially know many places in Greece which organise local tournaments, which stay unrated. Moreover, we have about 25 referees, 20 keepers 6 observers. Last year, 190 official games took place. For two of them a money award was offered.
Finally, let’s speak about amusement. Are you planning to organize a player’s party in the evening? Where it will be held?
That’s what we are planning to do, but this period we are dealing with basic organizational issues. Besides, Corfu is a big party place, isn’t it? And surprises are always part of the game!
In the end, give us some useful advice before our adventure to Corfu…
Enjoy Corfiot cuisine, which is amazing. If you have time, besides attending the tournament, you should visit various places on the island. It is a very beautiful island, with natural attractions, while the historic centre of Corfu is a UNESCO world heritage monument.
Looking forward to meeting you in Aghios Georgios…
We wish you a nice journey, we expect to welcome you and introduce our place and our people to you and we are convinced that you will visit us again with your friends and family.