The following is an email interview with Hellenic National Team captain Dimitris Kalyvas about the history of ice hockey in the southeastern European country and the lack of financial support for the Greek teams.
Sports dates back to ancient Greek civilization with the Olympics, and sports synonymous with Greece include boxing, wrestling, pankration, chariot racing, running events, pentathlon, long jump, javelin throw, and discus throw—none of which are winter sports. How were players able to import ice hockey in 1984 and within a year have five teams? How popular is ice hockey in Greece? How many teams does the country have today?
Well back in the mid to late 1980s, many [hyphenated Greeks] moved back to Greece: Greeks from Czechoslovakia, Russia and Canada. Luckily there was an ice rink in Athens and Thesaloniki at that time and many started to play. A federation was created and a few guys with leadership qualities decided to organize all this. The rest is history. Unfortunately, ice hockey is not popular in Greece at the moment. The recent successes have not be promoted from the Federation. I can’t understand why, but for some reason they try to bury any success that the National Team achieves. Today we have nine mens teams and two [womens] teams in Greece. Despite having problems with the ice rink, the teams try to stay organized.
With the current economic conditions in Greece, what challenges have the teams encountered?
The current economic conditions might put an end to Greek Ice Hockey. Teams don’t have income and therefore all expenses pass over to the players. Many players don’t have the ability to pay for this expensive sport and therefore quit. This same thing happened four years ago when only 25 players were actually playing ice hockey, traveling to Czech Republic for ice training. These same guys become the National Team. After the team’s success the number of teams playing ice hockey went from one to 11. So if we take history as a blueprint, then most likely the number of teams will decrease rapidly.
Why did the Greek Undersecretary of State for Sports discontinue financial support to the teams in 1993, and why has the Undersecretary not reinstated the support?
It will sound stupid, but due to political reasons. Funds stopped when PASOK won the elections back in 1993 and were reinstalled in 2004 (when NewDemocracy won again). The Federation’s president is a NewDemocracy follower.
Right now PASOK won again and using the financial problems of the country have again stopped all funds. Like I said, it sounds stupid, but this is the only reason!
In May 2003, the last remaining ice rink in Greece closed. Why have the rinks closed? Where do the teams practice without a permanent arena and will one be built?
The rink closed because the lease ended and the owner of the land wanted it for more profitable use. Every summer we hope that an ice rink opens in September. So far, with the National Team [participating[ in the Worlds, an ice rink opens every year. Not permanent of course, but it does the job. To be honest, I do not believe that a permanent ice rink will open any time soon.
Ted Leonsis is a prominent Greek-American businessman that owns NHL team, the Washington Capitals. In your opinion, what contributions has his ethnic background made in the sport of ice hockey and has he provided any support to Greek teams?
I have tried to get in contact with many Greeks back in Canada and the States, but unfortunately with no success. Their contribution is close to none. Unfortunately, they don’t understand the rules of the IIHF that say: It is the objective of the IIHF that national teams competing in IIHF championships shall reflect the status and standard of the sport as currently played by citizens of and in the country concerned and to protect the integrity of international competition.
Greeks from Canada and the States believe that the IIHF works like the NHL and always try to take the Greek Ice Hockey program to North America. I know there are many Greeks in Canada and the States that play great ice hockey. A lot better than the ones here. But, the IIHF wants the countries to build hockey IN their country and not abroad. Like I said, many Greeks in North America don’t understand this and therefore cause more harm than good. Like in 1996 when Greek Ice Hockey got a two-year ban for using non-eligible players (Greeks from Canada). I would like the wealthy Greeks to help by building a permanent ice rink in Greece. Like the Israel-Canadians that have built the “Canada Center”in Israel. This is the only way they can actually help. With an ice rink, ice hockey in Greece will develop in the right way. And who knows, a professional league might be created for all the Greeks in Canada and the States that want to move to Greece.










