EU Sport Directors-General focus on health, well-being and Mediterranean cooperation at high-level meeting in Lefkosia

Senior sport officials from across Europe met in Lefkosia on 4–5 February 2026 for the meeting of Directors-General for Sport of the EU Member States, hosted by the Cyprus Sports Organisation under the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU. Talks centred on boosting physical activity, strengthening mental well-being in sport and enhancing sports cooperation in the Mediterranean.

The President of the Cyprus Sports Organisation, Mr Yiannis Ioannou, welcomed the European officials on behalf of the Cyprus Presidency.  In his opening remarks, he stressed the importance of physical activity in contemporary policymaking and outlined the three key priorities guiding the meeting:

“First, health-enhancing physical activity. Despite progress in policy frameworks, participation levels remain low. This indicates that strong policy design must now be accompanied by effective implementation and cooperation. Second, mental health and well-being in sport. Creating safer and more supportive sporting environments is not optional, but a shared responsibility. Third, sports diplomacy and cooperation in the Mediterranean.”

The meeting was chaired by the Deputy Director-General of the Cyprus Sports Organisation, Mr Vassos Koutsiountas. On the first day, the discussions focused on policies that promote health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) and their role in improving public health, well-being and social cohesion across Europe. 

Participants exchanged views on existing HEPA policies and the interconnection between sport, health and education, as well as methods for assessing policy effectiveness. Particular emphasis was placed on bridging the gap between robust policy frameworks and tangible increases in physical activity levels.

In this context, Ms Theoti Pourou, Inspector of Physical Education at the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth, and Ms Elena Papakosta, President of the Department of Health, Life and Health Sciences at Frederick University, presented and analysed the Ministry’s national programme “Aristotle CyFIT”. Presentations were also delivered on the results of the Erasmus+ programme “Shaping EU Sport”, as well as the outcomes of the Peer Learning Activity conducted in Cyprus.

The second day focused on the mental health of athletes and coaches, as well as inter-state cooperation in sport. Professor and Mental Health Consultant in Sport, Ms Styliani Chroni, addressed the issue of mental health among active and retired athletes and coaches. Along with subsequent interventions by the Directors-General for Sport, her analysis, underscored the need for preventive, evidence-based approaches and the exchange of good practices among member states and international partners. At the same time good practices were developed in the crucial area of mental health in sport.

Meanwhile, ways to strengthen cooperation in the Mediterranean region were examined, following a presentation by the European Commission on the Pact for the Mediterranean and a Cyprus-led discussion on the potential establishment of a Mediterranean Sports Council. The proposal was well received, particularly by the Mediterranean countries, and will be examined in greater depth.

This meeting was the first of three sports-focused conferences to be held in Cyprus during the Cyprus Presidency, highlighting the role of sports in promoting health, physical fitness, social cohesion and cooperation.