SHALL WE DO SOME SPORT? Cyprus is an ideal place to practice outdoor sports, an ideal place to enjoy sports and nature, both on land and sea. Due to its population and size, it has modest international sporting achievements. The most traditional sports are: Football, Basketball, Athletics, Paragliding, Golf and Ski. Fifty-four per cent of the population in Cyprus doesn´t practice sports. But seven out of ten teenagers practise them. Normally people begin to play sports when they are still children. On the coast the population practises more sport than in the interior of the country. FOOTBALL: It is the most popular spectator and participation sport on the island. The association became a FIFA member in 1948 and an UEFA member in 1962. The Cypriot First Division is semiprofessional with a few professional clubs. APOEL FC made history by being the first Cypriot team to reach the quarter finals of UEFA Champions League in 2012, and by reaching the last 16 of the UEFA Europe League in 2017. There are 25 Spanish soccer players who are in Cypriot teams such as: Juan Pablo in Aek Lamala or Roberto Lago in APOEL. BASKETBALL: It is also quite popular in Cyprus. The Cypriot league is semi- professional, but Cypriot teams have had good European campaigns. Recently, Eka Ael has finished 3rd in the FIBA Euro Cup. Except of the men’s championship there is also a teenager’s league (U-20). The teams that take part in the men’s league also take part in the U-20 league. There is also women’s championship with 6 teams, U-16 boys and girl’s championship. Most of the teams also have basketball academies where young children go and learn the game. ATHLETICS: Cypriot athletes have achieved some notable successes in Athletics. Sprinter Eleni Artymata has also won multiple medals in the Mediterranean Games, including gold medals in the 200 metres in 2009 and 2013. Cyprus has sent athletes to every summer and winter Olympic Game held since 1980. PARAGLIDING: It is a relatively new sport in Cyprus, but some clubs has developed it around the island. Cyprus Paragliding Club is one of the most active in improving the quality of flights, and finding new sites where paragliding could be possible. From time to time local competitions are organized. Where it is possible to fly above the Stavrovouni Monastery. GOLF: There are four top class golf courses in the Pafos region, while a few others are currently under construction. They are located in peaceful surroundings amidst landscaped hills with spectacular views, these offer luxury villas or apartments for rent or sale, clubhouses, shops, hotels and all the necessary facilities. They are far from the hustle and bustle of the main tourist resorts, yet near enough for easy access. SKIING: The first appearance of the ski in Cyprus was around 1934 when a group of fans created the first mountain club. The appearance of the Second World War paralyzed the development of the ski for some years. The most famous skiing club in Cyprus is the Cyprus ski club that was created on March 2, 1947. Cyprus is home to the southernmost ski slopes in Europe located in the Troodos Mountains. The clues have the names of the Greek goods Aphrodite and Hermes. Other sports prastised on the island are: rugby, tennis, car rally, motocross and sailing. RUGBY: Cypriot rugby goes back to at least the 1950s, when it was played by British Armed Forces there. The British military still contributes teams from the Akrotiri and Dhekelia bases. TENNIS: The Cyprus Tennis Federation is the governing body for the game of tennis in Cyprus. It was founded in 1951. Since 1984 it has been organising Cyprus’ participation in the Davis Cup. RALLY: The Cyprus Rally is a rallying competition held yearly in Cyprus since 1970. The event is run by the Cyprus Automobile Association and is based in the city of Limassol. It is run on the winding gravel roads of the nearby mountains of Troödos. It was part of the FIA World Rally Championship from 2000 to 2006. SAILING :Pavlos Kontides is a Cypriot sailor. He became the first Cypriot athlete ever to win an Olympic medal for his country, by winning the silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the Men's Laser class behind Tom Slingsby. Apart from the sports mentioned above, if you like water sports Cyprus is the perfect place. Due to the abundance of water sports available, Cyprus is extremely popular with many tourists every year. Regardless as to whether it is your first time attempting a water sport activity or you are a gold medalist, there are many water sport activities to choose from. Some other available sports are windsurfing, waterskiing, jet skiing, parasailing, kayaking, canoeing as well as banana and tube rides. This article has been written by Elena, Sara and Alba from Escuela San José, San Fernando (Cádiz) Spain. .