7.3 Sport, youth fitness and physical activity
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National strategy(ies)
The Deputy Ministry of Sports in the ’’National Strategic Plan for Sports – Teammates in the Future of Sports’’ defines the framework for the development of sports in Greece, with the following main points:
- Transparency, Merit and Good Governance (Register of Sports Bodies, "Khilon" Evaluation Program, Coaches' Registry, "Pelopas" Platform, electronic voting, Digital Bible, "Live Sports" Committee, modernization and upgrading of the National Sports Research Center and the Professional Committee sports)
- Sports Family Support (Olympians, athletes and athletes with disabilities, Amateur Associations, VAT reduction on match tickets, direct grant to amateur associations, percentage from taxation of betting profits)
- Dealing with criminal phenomena (corruption, doping, violence, mismanagement and abuse)
- Promotion of Sports in Society (institutional framework for Alternative, Working, Sports Spirit and for e-sports, "Be Active" program)
- Strengthening extroversion (holding international meetings, memoranda of cooperation with foreign countries, claiming and implementing international events, recognition of additional sports federations)
- Modernization, maintenance and upgrading of sports facilities (utilization of OAKA (Olympic Stadium), study for the Paralympic National Center, energy upgrades of facilities, complete upgrade of the Byron National Shooting Range, the Olympic Village and the indoor facilities in Paiania)
Promoting and supporting sport and physical activity among young people
According to the Organizational Framework of Sports Programs and Events For All the programs are aimed at adults aged over 19:
a. "Adult exercise" For people over the age of 19, it should be feasible to plan and implement fitness programs and sports activities by setting up mixed or single-sex sections taking into account interests, participation, current trends, arising needs etc.
a'1. Fitness programs improving physical condition with a range of options for program type, exercise regimen, equipment, goal and class structure, indoors or outdoors.
a'2. Therapeutic gymnastics (orthosomia, etc.).
a3. Special categories of programs (pregnancy, obesity, etc.).
a4. Sports activities programs (Specialized Sports).
b. "Sports and young people". For people aged 19 to 30 years. Physical condition, sports activities, gymnastics for: - students, in collaboration with Educational Institutions. - young people outside formal education structures, with an emphasis on cooperation with formal or informal youth organizations.
Physical education in schools
The subject of physical education is a structured program of physical activity and is part of the school's education. It is designed so that the child develops the necessary knowledge, behavior and motor skills to perform physical activity and achieve well-being. It is the basis for training children to be physically active in all areas of their lives, inside and outside school.
Physical exercise during school time includes physical activity in the context of the school classroom as well as the courtyard. Physical activity in the classroom includes exercises such as muscle stretching, jumping jacks and dancing. It can take place at any time and occur in one or more short periods during the school day. It includes the integration of physical activity into academic instruction and provides students with an opportunity for a break. Physical activity in the school classroom should be offered in addition to the physical education lesson and physical activity carried out in the school yard and should be provided in all classes and at each school level.
Physical exercise in the school yard refers to physical activity and play in the schoolyard that takes place in one or more short periods during the school day, under the supervision of school personnel. In this context, children are encouraged to be physically active and cooperate with their classmates in activities of their choice.
Collaboration and Partnerships
The National Plan for Public Health foresees synergies for the development of sports in Greece. Specifically:
1. The implementation of intervention programs to optimize sports spaces and conditions in the school environment, with the cooperation of the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs and the Institute of Educational Policy (IEP),
2. Synergy with first and second grade Local Authorities regarding the support of sports programs in local sports facilities, as well as the formation of sports programs for all age groups of the population,
3. The undertaking of joint action with the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Culture and Sports to provide additional sports incentives in the infrastructure of each level of education.