The Press Conference held at the Swissotel Foshan, where the Panathinaikos delegation is being accommodated, tipped off the official schedule of events for the Greek League and Cup Holders in China.
The vice president of Panathinaikos BC, Manos Papadopoulos, Head Coach, Argyris Pedoulakis, Mike Batiste and Ping Shang as also Marketing Director, Ilias Katsogiannis, represented Panathinaikos in presence of city officials but also from the Guangdong providence part of which is Foshan.
The hosts welcomed Panathinaikos and analyzed its dynamic and its titles expressing their respect but also their joy for them being present in China, while they did not miss out on commenting on Dimitris Diamantidis (“we hope to learn a lot from him”) but also on the fact that it is the first European professional team to have added a Chinese athlete to its roster, Ping Shang.
Four television stations and more than 30 journalist and photographers covered the event on the Guangdong media, the country’s greatest providence.
“I would like to convey our president, Mr. Dimitris Giannakopoulos’ wishes and gratitude who really aspired to be here but due to hectic occupational obligations was unable to make it”, stated the BC’s vice president, Manos Papadopoulos only to add: “Our view is that sports have no frontiers. We are very happy to be here and we believe that our presence in China will be the start of more frequent visits of European teams to the country but also of Chinese teams to Europe. It would be our pleasure to have teams from China come to our city, Athens, the capital of Greece but also of basketball due to Panathinaikos”.
The Panathinaikos Head Coach, Argyris Pedoulakis noted: “We are very pleased to be here. We will have a great opportunity to watch how people compete outside of Europe but also outside of America, of which we also have images. Panathinaikos is the most successful team in Europe. Nothing comes from luck alone. Our expertise is based in discipline and teamwork. That is why we believe that the Chinese philosophy is closer to ours since it is based more on team spirit than on personal achievements. Everyone have respect for the team and are loyal to it”.
Mike Batiste stated: “We are happy to be in China. It will be a different experience for me but also for all my teammates. We would like to thank everyone for the hospitality and we believe that the people will watch an exciting encounter”.
Ping Shang stated: “I am very happy to be in my country again. I am trying to get use to the European way of basketball and the only thing I can promise is that I will be working hard”.
Next there was an exchange of memorabilia gifts amongst the Guangdong providence Head of Sports and the BC’s vice president, Manos Papadopoulos, while a government member of Foshan exchanged jerseys with Ping Shang.
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