The Anniversary Conference of the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science (TEFAA) at the University of Thessaly, celebrating 30 years of operation, and the 1st Conference of the Panhellenic Association of Sports and Exercise Professionals were successfully completed. More than 100 scientific presentations and speeches were delivered, attended by over 300 participants.
Key moments of the Conference included:
- The conferral of honorary doctorates on two distinguished professors, Kenneth Fox and Stuart Biddle, in the presence of the Vice-Rector of the University of Thessaly, Ms. Laspidou.
- A presentation by the President of TEFAA, Mr. N. Diggelidis, detailing the development and contribution of TEFAA over 30 years to science, education, sports, and the promotion of exercise for health.
- Memorable and emotional moments during the opening ceremony, with gymnastics and dance performances by TEFAA students and young athletes trained by students and recent graduates. The ceremony included references to the struggle for the institutionalization of TEFAA from 1974 to 1982, as well as tributes to those who fought to establish TEFAA in Trikala in 1994, such as Mr. Nimas, Vasilos, Gagas, Roumeliotis, Kliafas, Soulas, the then-Metropolitan Mr. Alexios, and mentions of the damages TEFAA suffered due to Daniel, with a promise to continue forward.
- Awards during the opening ceremony acknowledging the contributions of those who supported and advanced TEFAA, including former Mayor K. Papastergiou, former Rector and first TEFAA President K. Bayatis, emeritus professors S. Kellas, G. Koutentakis, D. Soulas, K. Famisis, and former Vice-Rector of TEFAA, G. Theodorakis.
- Panel discussions with leading TEFAA scientists, joined by the national water polo coach Mr. T. Vlachos, Olympic medalist Mr. S. Gianniotis, and the owners of fitness chains Alterlife and Elixir, Mr. D. Koukouflis and A. Alexiadis, respectively.
- Contributions from presidents and deans of TEFAA and SEFAA departments from across the country, discussing the evolution of the science, TEFAA programs, and the professional impact of graduates in sports, exercise, and physical education, both in Greece and internationally.
- Over 100 presentations by leading scientists and numerous young researchers, as well as a significant number of seminars, specialized symposia, panels, and open discussions on the latest topics in sports, physical education, and exercise. Topics covered included new curricula and textbooks for school physical education, intercultural education, rehabilitation of individuals with dependencies, exercises to avoid in Pilates, specialized coaching topics, soccer, tennis, exercise and mental health, biomechanics, psychological techniques in sports, and open discussions on critical issues faced by physical education graduates in schools, gyms, competitive sports, and the future of TEFAA graduates in sports and health-focused exercise, among many others.
In closing, Conference Director Professor Papaiouannou expressed gratitude to all participants, faculty members, and the dozens of students who volunteered to organize the Conference. He also thanked those who financially supported the event, including major sponsors, Alterlife Gyms and the Thessaly Region, as well as notable contributions from companies Trikki, Violanta, Biomechanical Solutions, Konstantara Publishing, KDAP Mathisi, Family Cheese Dairy Divanis, Bianca, and Hotel K. Famisis.