The restoration, renovation, and refurbishment of two historic gyms of Athens, the National Gymnasium of Athens “Ioannis Fokianos” and the Public and Standard Children’s Gymnasium of Kaisariani, is being carried out by the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports, with a total budget of up to 5,580,000 euros.

In particular, the renovation of the two gyms, which are supervised by the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports, includes rehabilitation work, energy upgrading, enhancing accessibility for people with disabilities, improving safety infrastructure (fire safety, anti-seismic protection), and landscaping.

In the context of sports education and experiential learning, in the areas of the two gyms, activities are carried out to familiarize students with Olympic and non-prevalent sports, in motor skills adapted to the age of the students, as well as educational tours in the sports museum of the “I. Fokianos”, in the National Garden, but also in the Kaisarianis Sports Centre.

A total of 8,800 students from 110 schools of the region participated in the activities organized by the Physical Education Department of the Ministry of Defence and implemented by physical education teachers and distinguished athletes.

The Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, Sofia Zacharaki, said:

“We are pleased to announce the renovation of two historic gyms in Athens. The creation of modern and safe infrastructure is an integral part of the educational process. At the same time, however, it reflects the commitment of the Government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis to offer our children an education that not only promotes knowledge but also mental health and well-being. We take messages from local communities, we record the observations of our teachers, but most importantly, we listen to our students and listen to their needs.

What fills us with optimism and satisfaction is that in the existing spaces of the two gyms, highly creative educational activities are already being carried out in the context of sports education and experiential learning. Our education deserves the best, and we will continue to work consistently for it.”