Ionian Inspires Cricket
London 10/11/2009

In the evening of 10th November 2009 was revealed the long history between Cricket and the Ionian Islands, which goes back in 1823. An exceptional event which took place in the home of cricket, the prestigious Long Room of the Marylebone Cricket Club in the historic setting of Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.

The aim of the event was the celebration of the cultural diversity existing in Corfu and to present the programme of the International Cricket Festival, which intends to bring together cricketers across continents, countries and communities in this historical and magical place.

The Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Angela Gerekou, who gave the opening speech at the evening, encouraged this year’s Ionian Inspires initiative. Amongst the attendees were representatives of the world wide sport and travel media and the most significant figures of the British Cricket who had the unique opportunity to get information regarding cricket in Greece, its development and potential in the Ionian Islands and to meet delegates of Greek authorities and professionals of tourism.

The Ionian Inspires Cricket received funding from the Region of the Ionian Islands, was organised by the Hellenic Cricket Federation and supported by the Greek National Tourism Organisation.

Ionian Inspires

London Nov.10, 2009

Ionian Inspires

London Nov.10, 2009

Ionian Inspires

London Nov.10, 2009

Ionian Inspires

London Nov.10, 2009

Ionian Inspires

London Nov.10, 2009

Ionian Inspires

London Nov.10, 2009

Ionian Inspires

London Nov.10, 2009

Ionian Inspires

London Nov.10, 2009

Ionian Inspires

London Nov.10, 2009

Ionian Inspires

London Nov.10, 2009

Ionian Inspires

London Nov.10, 2009

Ionian Inspires

London Nov.10, 2009

Ionian Inspires

London Nov.10, 2009

Ionian Inspires

London Nov.10, 2009

Ionian Inspires

London Nov.10, 2009

Ionian Inspires

London Nov.10, 2009

With great success was held the event Ionian Inspires Cricket by the Region of the Ionian Islands in the evening of Tuesday 10th November. The event took place in the prestigious Long Room of the Marylebone Cricket Club in the historical Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.

Representatives of the British sport and travel media had the unique opportunity to get information regarding cricket, its development and potential in the Ionian Islands, to meet delegates of Greek authorities and professionals of tourism and to enjoy a preferential treatment in the hard to access great hall of Lord’s.

This exceptional evening was honoured by distinguished guests, amongst others was Antzela Gerekou Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism, where her encouraging speech was compelling, Christos Skourtis acting chairman of ETIN, who gave a short speech, Richard Holdsworth Regional Development Manager of ICC Europe, Roger Knight English Cricket Club Chairman, Iosif Nikitas President of Hellenic Cricket Federation, Sofia Panagiotaki Director of Greek National Tourism board in London, Spiros Galiatsatos Chairman of the Hoteliers of Cephalonia, Christina Tetradi chairman of the Hoteliers of Laganas Zakynthos, Spiros Varelis Mayor of Thinalion, Yiannis Trepenklis former Mayor of Corfu, Lord Orr-Ewing, Lady Marina Marks, Shaun Patrick President of Notts Sport and Patricia Cookson founder of Corfu Villas.

World wide media journalists and writers were amongst the attendees, representing the BBC, Evening Standard, Guardian, Insight Guide, Associated Press of Pakistan, the Indian publications Today's Traveller, Lifestyle Living, NewsWire και What Women Want.

The guests were briefed about the historical relations between Corfu and Corfu and the recent successful results of the Greek national team and the International Cricket Festival which will start in Corfu in 2010. The journalists were impressed by the development of the sport in the rest of the Ionian Islands with highlight of the evening the interest of BBC to cover the Festival in all 4 islands.

In general the event was a warm and emotional evening which revealed the love for cricket and Greece.