Emmanuel Kolibadis, President Hellenic Table Tennis Federation

July 30, 2012

The institution of sponsorship (choregia) was founded and developed in Athens under Cleisthenes (6th B.C. century) and Perikleus (5th B.C. century). The choregia, the feeding, the trierarchy and the gymnasiarcheia were the four functions of the Athens Democracy that constitute the “Golden Age” of history.

The choregy was mandatory (according to the law) for the 120 richest citizens of each of the 10 races of Athens.  The amount gathered was enough to cover the total expenses of events such as the Eleusinian mysteries, the Dionysian mysteries, the Anthesteria festivals etc.  The choregy had to primarily deal with the support of arts.

The “choregos” (sponsor) was considered to be a “sanctuary” person, in the whole duration of the mysteries and the honour upon him (of both its state and of its citizens) constituted the unique compensation for his offer.  A vigorous rivalry was simultaneously developing among the “choregoi” (sponsors) for the most brilliant presentation of the mystery since the honour acquired was reflected to the whole race of the winner-choregos.

Nowadays, things have totally changed. The sponsoring is mistakenly considered as an advertise and the whole system, especially that of sports, has acquired the characteristics of a battle race from the side of the sports organisations in all levels and grades (clubs-federations- NOC’s) for the collection of income for the purpose of survival since the governmental funds for sports and athletic activities in general are diminishing.

The unprecedented financial crisis in Greece during the last few years has undoubtedly influenced the sponsoring activities of the private business. It is very hard to find a sponsor, especially if you are not considered as a “TV-friendly” sport. It is even harder to find a sponsor who will be convinced that his offer will have a return upon society. The sports sector will have to exploit in the best way the money of the Greek taxpayer citizen and the sponsor must gain the correspondence of the society for his offer.

The Hellenic Table Tennis Federation is fully conscious of both the difficulties that prevail in the Greek market as well as the effect that table tennis can have in the Greek society apart from the significant distinctions of our national teams and of our athletes personally.

The Hellenic Table Tennis Federation is continuously searching for sponsors with whom we will have a mutual route and not and instant copulation. Our massive sport and our International distinctions are elements that can attract sponsors. Our latest motto is: “we do not want huge and few sponsors; we want small and a lot of sponsors”. In such a way, the penetration of our sport to the society as well as the strong desire of our citizens to help our sport will be revealed. Citizens will be offered with the pleasure of a marvellous entertainment as well as with the opportunity to exercise and thus cultivate their body and soul.

With the help of the experienced executives as well as the faith in the capabilities of our sport we feel optimistic that sponsoring will be the statute that will keep our sport alive during this hard phase that Greece is in.


About Emmanuel Kolibadis

Emmanuel Kolibadis was born in 1952 and graduated from the Law School of the National & Kapodestrean University of Athens.

He was a member of the national teams of table tennis in all categories and became a trainer with national and international distinctions.

In 1985 Emmanuel became a member of the Hellenic Olympics Committee, where he is a member to this day.

Between 1982 and 2008 Emmanuel was the General Secretary of the Hellenic Table Tennis Federation before becoming President in 2008.

Emmanuel has also been the Chairman of the Olympic Sports Centre of Athens and the Greek Committee against Violence in Sports, as well as being a member of the Law Constitution Committee for the law and the National Anti-Doping Organization.

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