Women’s sports in Greece have been steadily gaining visibility and momentum in recent years, driven by talent, persistence, and the right support. This feature article by News247 explores how Qualco Foundation contributes to this progress by supporting athletes across both team and individual sports, while promoting equal opportunities and long-term development. Read the full story below.

Behind every success and distinction lie stories of daily effort, persistence, and belief in a dream, one that often requires exceptional determination to overcome continuous obstacles. In this environment, initiatives that meaningfully support female athletes become particularly important.

Qualco Foundation, the non-profit initiative of Qualco Group, implements actions with social impact in collaboration with educational, cultural, and sports organisations, while promoting social solidarity. Within this framework, it has chosen to invest systematically in sports, with a strong focus on women and the younger generation. Through initiatives that go beyond symbolic support, the Foundation aims to provide real opportunities for athletes to progress, recognising their role as role models and agents of change.

Women’s sports are not just about performances, records, and medals. They represent a collective effort to break long-standing stereotypes and pave the way for the next generation of girls.

The historic journey of Athinaikos Qualco

In basketball, Athinaikos Qualco stands as one of the most characteristic examples of this dynamic. A team with a strong history, now returning to the European elite in an impressive way. Their qualification for the EuroCup Women Final for the 2025–26 season is not just a major sporting achievement. It is a moment that highlights what can be achieved when talent meets hard work and the right support. Sixteen years after the Triple Crown of 2010, Athinaikos is once again writing history.

Team captain Evina Stamati vividly describes the challenges of women’s basketball:

“Women’s basketball generates less revenue from tickets, broadcasting rights, and advertising compared to men’s, due to a smaller audience and therefore lower media interest. Sponsorship can become a key driving force, as it provides resources that teams lack to cover their expenses and increases visibility through branding and campaigns, gradually attracting more spectators. Sponsorships transform women’s basketball from an amateur environment—where teams rely on volunteers and limited resources—into a professional and sustainable system with stable funding.”

French player Ana Tadic adds:

“Support for women’s sports is vital. It helps bring more visibility to the sport, strengthens its credibility, and allows teams like ours to be at the forefront. Sponsorships support athletes in promoting the values of sport, inspiring young girls, and encouraging them to dream, persist, and believe they can follow the same path.”

These two testimonies highlight something essential: behind every success lies a network of people and organisations that believe in athletes and provide them with the tools to develop their talent. Qualco Foundation is among these supporters, standing by the team as it writes a new chapter.

Paths that inspire

Qualco Foundation’s support is not limited to team sports. In individual sports, where an athlete’s journey often depends on personal endurance and opportunities, the presence of a stable supporter can make a meaningful difference.

Nefeli Rodopoulou, one of the most prominent representatives of the younger generation in Greek fencing, speaks about the strength sport gives her:

“Sport has taught me not to fear challenges and to constantly push my limits. It has shown me that with discipline, persistence, and belief in ourselves, we can overcome any obstacle. As a female athlete, I feel proud to represent my country and pursue the dream of the Olympic Games. I hope my journey inspires young girls to believe in their abilities and never stop dreaming, because nothing is impossible.”

Similarly, sailor Ermioni Gkika highlights another dimension: the everyday challenges women face in sports.

“The biggest challenge in women’s sports is the sexism experienced in everyday life, often in the form of comments that can easily be dismissed as jokes or even as neutral or well-intentioned remarks. These stem from deeply rooted beliefs that, unfortunately, even women ourselves may have internalised. In sailing, we often receive patronising comments such as ‘be careful’ when it’s windy, or ‘it’s easier for you,’ simply because the sail is smaller.”

Through these collaborations, Qualco Foundation reaffirms its commitment to supporting women’s sports in a meaningful and impactful way, not for visibility, but to create real opportunities for growth. Every athlete who continues, every team that progresses, and every girl inspired to try something new represents a step towards a more equal, open, and dynamic society.