Blue-white vote by Giannis Antetokounmpo! He prefers a gold medal with the national team than a… ring from the NBA.
New York — Giannis Antetokounmpo gave lessons of moral and love for Greece and his family during his six-minute speech to the Greeks of New York. The award was given by Hellenic Public Radio Cosmos FM in New York as part of the celebrations of its 30th anniversary, as well as the eve of the Eurobasket conquest in 1987.
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Cosmos FM invited Milwaukee Bucks All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo and his family to New York on Sunday, for “Greek Freak Week,” a day of events filled with basketball, fun, and Hellenism.
The day begun in the morning at Adelphi University with the “Feel Greek” sports event, where Antetokounmpo and his brother Thanasis, a Liga ACB Basketball player, coached Greek American youth during exhibition games. In addition to the “AntetokounBros,” stars of the Greek national basketball team Panagiotis Fasoulas (1987) and Michael Kakiouzis (2005) also provided instruction.
Following the athletics, a glamorous awards gala took place at Flushing’s “Terrace on the Park” organized on the 30 year anniversary of Cosmos FM which was associated with the 30th anniversary of the 1987 European Basketball Championship in New York.
In the presence of Archbishop Demetrios, Geron of America Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, Greek Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura, the dep. permanent representative of Greece to the United Nations Ambassador Dionysios Kalavrezos, the Consul General of Greece Konstantinos Koutras, the Consul of Greece Manos Koubarakis, the Greek National Tourism Organization Director Grigoria Kamaterou, New York State Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, Mayor of the northern Athens district of Maroussi Dr. George Patoulis accompanied by his beloved wife and son, St. Demetri
os School Board President Nick Andriotis, basketball fans, and representatives of the Hellenic diaspora, Panagiotis Fasoulas and Michalis Kakiouzis were honored for their contribution to Greek basketball with the Hellenic Spirit Awards, Thanasis Antetokounmpo for the dissemination of the Greek athletic ideal and the parents of the athletes, Charles and Veronica Antetokounmpo with the Prize for Greek Tradition for raising their four children with Hellenic values, ideals, and standards.
Thanos Petrelis performed the Greek National Anthem, and Melina Tsipropoulou performed the Star-Spangled Banner. Archbishop Demetrios gave the invocation and the benediction of the dinner. Ernie Anastos served as Master of Ceremonies for the event, while Tasos Pardalis, the event co-chair, gave the welcoming remarks.
Giannis impressed the audience with his modesty. He said that his eldest and most conspicuous hero is Thanasis, he thanked his parents, who “are the real heroes.” They migrated from Nigeria to Greece in 1991 and taught him years later when he came to life that it was hard work that leads to success… while sending a message to Greece of the economic crisis to support its young children.
Tourism Minister Kountoura, who presented the Hellenic Heritage Award for the promotion of Hellenism, in her address to the honored athletes, pointed out that tourism, like sports and culture, unites people and nations opening up new bridges of cooperation. She praised the ethos, the flame and the contribution made by Yannis, who “at every opportunity talks about Greece which he has it in his heart and soul and he represents it wisely, with respect and passion” and congratulated his parents and the entire family. “Tourism, sport, and culture support Greece at the crucial moments,” she concluded.
With emotion, she addressed Panayiotis Fasoulas and Michalis Kakiouzis for their long-standing offer to Hellenic youth and underlined: “You are real fighters who have contributed with your long effort to the great successes of our country in basketball internationally. You have offered us incredible moments of emotion and national pride. High moral standards that inspire Greeks in every corner of the earth, especially young Greek.”
“AntetokounBros” spoke about their homeland Greece with much love and warmth and responded to Ms. Kountoura’s invitation to become ambassadors of Greek tourism and to contribute to the promotion of Greece internationally.
Dimitrios and Georgia Kaloidis presented the Hellenic Heritage Award to Giannis’ parents Veronica and Charles Antetokounmpo, who hail from Nigeria and moved to Greece in search of a better life.