World Environment Day at the Agricultural University of Athens. Strong Participation in the Introduction to the Sport of Badminton
PRESS RELEASE
World Environment Day at the Agricultural University of Athens
Strong Participation in the Introduction to the Sport of Badminton
As part of the celebrations for World Environment Day at the Agricultural University of Athens (AUA), a highly successful introductory event to the sport of Badminton was held on Friday, 5 June 2026, at the University’s outdoor sports facilities. The event offered members of the university community the opportunity to become acquainted with a particularly engaging sport that, although widely practiced internationally, is not yet broadly popular in Greece. The presentation was delivered by Mr. Vasilis Katsifas, Physical Education Professor and member of the Technical Committee of the Hellenic Badminton Federation. The event was coordinated and implemented by the AUA Sports Centre Physical Education instructors, Ms. Polyxeni Tsaliagkou and Ms. Georgia Athanasopoulou, highlighting the role of sport as a means of education, well-being, and environmental awareness.
The event formed part of the programme organized by the Sustainable Development Committee of the Agricultural University of Athens in celebration of World Environment Day 2026 on Friday, 5 June. The programme was developed over two days of activities, featuring as its central event the conference entitled “Climate Action” on Thursday, 4 June, alongside experiential presentations, interactive games, and workshops for school pupils and members of the public on the theme “Circular Economy in Practice” on Friday, 5 June. The planning, coordination, and implementation of the activities were undertaken by Professor Chrysi Papadimitriou, Chair of the Committee, in collaboration with Mr. Evangelos Kyritsis, Secretary of the Committee, and Mr. Georgios Makris of the AUA Technical Services Department, who was responsible for ensuring the safe conduct of the events.
The badminton event attracted a large and diverse audience from across the university community, including undergraduate and postgraduate students, Erasmus students from various European countries, as well as members of the academic and administrative staff. Participants were introduced to the basic rules of the sport, the necessary equipment, and key technical skills, before taking part in practical training sessions and introductory games. Particularly noteworthy was the active and enthusiastic participation of primary school pupils who attended the educational and experiential activities of the two-day programme and followed the badminton presentation with great interest.
The strong and enthusiastic turnout confirmed the value of such initiatives and reflected the Agricultural University of Athens’ commitment to outreach, collaboration, and engagement with the wider community, further strengthening its multifaceted role in education, sustainability, and social contribution.
