The Organizing Committee for the International Secondary School Sports Events, due to take place in Athens and Thessaloniki from June 27 until July 7 this year, convened on Friday.

The meeting was attended by Greek Education Minister Marietta Yiannakou, Deputy Culture Minister responsible for sports affairs George Orfanos and Deputy Education Minister George Kalos.

The structure of organizing and the selection of manpower, who will staff various departments, was ratified during the meeting.

George Gourdouvelis was appointed organizing director and Athanassios Vassiliadis technical director.

A total of 45 countries and regions have declared their participation in the events so far. The figure is expected to increase by March 10 when the time limit for declaring participation will end.

Apart from European countries, the countries and regions which have declared participation include China, South Korea, India, Chinese Taipei, Brazil, Argentina and the United States.

Source: Xinhua