Maria Tsakos Foundation Answer?s Call: ?455,000,000 for Athletes Association For the past few years, the government of Ghana, specifically the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports has called on companies and individuals within the private sector to help develop sports in the nation. To that end, the Maria Tsakos Foundation, led by founder Captain P. N. Tsakos has responded in an impressive way.
The Foundation was conceived and set up in the mid-1970s, when Captain P. N. Tsakos was in Montevideo, Uruguay, for professional reasons. His contacts with the Uruguayans revealed to him a cultivated people and, principally, a society that revered and adored the ancient Hellenic spirit and culture: a people eager to accept any element associated with Hellenic culture and tradition.
This fact was the main reason for creating the ?Tsakos Foundation, in March 1978, which - in 2002 - was renamed to ?Maria Tsakos? Foundation, in memory of the founder?s respected mother.
The Uruguayans warmly received Captain P. N. Tsakos initiative, and thus the Foundation continues, with enormous success, up to the present-day. It teaches the Greek language and disseminates elements of the ancient, as well the modern, Hellenic culture. This work has contributed to consolidating the esteem of Uruguay?s political and intellectual Leadership, with the admiration of the Uruguayans for Greece. Besides, the presence of the Foundation strengthens the cultural ties between Greece and the Spanish-speaking people of Latin America. The devotion of the Tsakos family to the Foundation is inherited from generation to generation. Thus, the founder?s daughter, Maria P. Tsakos, today plays an essential role in its development as the Deputy President.
The Foundation has contributed immensely in offering economic and medical assistance to children?s hospitals, scholarships to institutions of higher education for research in environmental cleanliness. In addition, the Foundation has purchased equipment for hospitals in Serbia, and charitable donations to institutions and environmental organizations.
Within the framework of promoting sports in Ghana, the Tsakos Foundation has granted ?455,000,000 (US 50,000) to the Ghana Athletes Association for promoting and developing athletics in Ghana.
The Ghana Athletes Association, currently led by Dr. Andrew Owusu, touts an impressive record of accomplishments in just 3 yrs of existence. Last year, the Association, in collaboration with the African Athletes Commission, and the Ghana Athletics Association organized and executed a national seminar on Coaching, Administration, Media Relations, Marketing, Sponsorship, Physiotherapy, and Doping issues in athletics. The International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) funded the seminar at a cost of ?182,000,000.
The amount, which will be given out to the Athletes Association, is spread over five years and will cover the cost of developmental and enhancement programs with the focus on local athletics. When needed, training equipment will be purchased by the Athletes Association for both Olympic and Para-Olympic athletes as they strive to meet international qualification standards. The aim is to help the athletes improve on their performances to ensure participation in a competitive fashion at international competitions.
Capt. Tsakos, being an ardent sports enthusiast himself, has taken this step, as he believes that Ghana has much potential at the international level. What is needed, he thinks, is a developmental program from the grassroot level through the elite ranks in order to meet the challenges of world competition. Education, Marine School: Help for JSS and SSS Students.
The Foundation?s generosity does not end with athletics. During the recent 2004 Olympic games held in Athens the Foundation also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports Hon. Kwadwo-Baah Wiredu to set up a Marine Training Institute at Tema to train and prepare unemployed junior secondary school and senior secondary school dropouts to join the Marine industry.
The Government of Ghana will provide the facilities for establishing the Institute and the Tsakos Group will in turn provide its expertise and know-how besides other resources for its efficient management.
Capt. Tsakos has a long history of association with Ghana and was appointed the Hon. Consul General of Ghana in Greece. He has provided much support to Ghanaians in Greece by sponsoring a Ghanaian social center in Athens. Since its creation in 1985, Ghanaians have met on various occasions and on weekends to entertain and amuse themselves with different games and activities, courtesy of Captain Tsakos.
