The Welcome Speech
by the President of the Organising Committee of the XIII Games of the Small
States of Europe and President of the Cyrus Olympic Committee, Ouranios M.
Ioannides at the Official Welcome Ceremony, Sunday 31 May 2009, 20:30, at
Olympic House, Nicosia.
Your Excellencies
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
Dear Friends
Let me first of
all welcome you to Cyprus and express to you our thanks and appreciation for
your willingness to participate in these XIII Games of the Small States of
Europe. I also would like thank you for accepting our invitation to join us in
this welcoming event, and on this occasion allow me to wish every success in all
your ventures.
At the same time I
would like to emphasize that the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, the Board
of Directors of the Cyprus Sports Organization (The Cyprus Olympic
Committee/Organizing Committee?) and a great number of sponsors and volunteers
gladly joined forces to produce successful Games as well as cultural events. We
strongly believe that by organizing Great Games we all stand to benefit.
Dear Friends
I take this
opportunity to wish you every success in your participation as well as a
pleasant stay. I call upon you to take advantage of every opportunity to see the
beauties of our Island and experience the warm hospitality of its people.
We know the ties
of friendship will only get stronger between Iceland, Luxembourg, Andorra,
Monaco, Lichtenstein, Malta, San Marino and Cyprus, and hopefully tomorrow
Montenegro will be a part of this family.
Thank you for your attention.
