About us
We heavily rely on the value co-creation concept in order to satisfy the needs of our customers. In sports, the event is the platform that many stakeholders employ to satisfy their needs, enabling many stakeholders to interact, engage and ultimately co-create value.
Value is created only when stakeholders contribute to the event, it is produced through engagement, and it comes in different forms. It arises from specific needs therefore the value creation concept relies on the fact that our clients satisfy the desired needs, interests and preferences of their stakeholders, and in return, stakeholders satisfy their needs.
What we believe and what moves us.
Our purpose.
Who we are
GKY is a sports consultancy for events; from logistics and planning to executing and everything in-between. Our service-offerings cover all aspects of event and sport-related business, with a proud and proven track record that bears testimony to our commitment to excellence in everything we do.
Where we come from
GKY Sports Management was founded in Cyprus in 2016 by Managing Director, George Yiapanas. With more than 20 years of collective experience in the industry, our founder sought to set a new standard in the efficiency, safety and value with which sporting events are delivered to the general public; and in the process, to amplify the value returned to all the involved stakeholders.
George Yiapanas (August 20, 1975) is the Finance Manager of GSP Stadium in Nicosia, CY. He holds a PhD in Sports Management from the University of Nicosia, CY, an MA degree (with distinction) in Management from the University of Wolverhampton, UK, a degree in Accounting from the BPP University, UK, a Certificate in Football Management and in Security Management. He is further a qualified stadium safety manager and a certified trainer for stadium stewards by the UEFA stadium and Security Unit.
He has wide professional and social contribution to sports. Due to his expertise in the field, he was invited in 2019 to become a member of the Parallel Parliament of Cyprus -direct appointment by the President of the House of Representatives-. He is a board member of the Cyprus Association for Sports Management (CyASM), and a member of the EuroMed Research Business Institute (SMEMAB/EMRBI).
His professional activities and expertise in the field allow him to take part in various projects and discussion panels. He has published a number of papers on football strategic management, and attended numerous local and international conferences, where he had the chance to present papers on sports management and sports grounds safety management.
Position: Finance Manager
Organisation: GSP Stadium and Sports Centre, Nicosia, Cyprus
Period: October 2000 to present
Main assignments: Providing and Interpreting financial information | Predicting future trends | Monitoring and interpreting cash flows | Formulating strategic business plans | Researching and reporting on factors influencing business performance | Developing financial management mechanisms that minimize financial risk | Managing financial accounting | Monitoring and reporting systems | Producing accurate financial reports to specific deadlines | Preparation and supervision of annual budget | Payroll | VAT control | Keeping abreast of changes in financial regulations and legislation | Internal control and audit | Monitoring business performance | Risk analysis | Receipts, payments and cash flow monitoring | Raising of funds | Strategic and profit planning
Events organised: Football games │ Outdoor concerts and events │ Athletics events │ Conferences │ Seminars and corporate events
Other tasks: Advertising and sponsorship | UEFA Media and TV facilities management | Event planning and management | Safety management
Highlights: Enhanced profitability introducing new methods and models to reduce costs - Re-organised all financial elements to survive throughout the Cyprus economic crisis of 2013, managing to reduce costs by 20% and minimise further financial risks - Negotiated and agreed, as a committee member, the financial terms of the revised contract with APOEL FC and Omonia FC, in 2015 and in 2021, maintaining stability and establishing continuity for the organisation - Improved corporate image and raised brand awareness with the usage of various marketing and social media tools - Overviewed the project budget of € 3.5 M for the construction of the accommodation facility centre - Prepared the business plan and the feasibility study, prior the decision of signing a franchise agreement with Liverpool Football Club for the launch of the International Football Academy in Cyprus. The Academy officially launched in May 2018
Other position: Deputy Safety Manager - GSP Stadium and Sports Centre, Nicosia, Cyprus
Tasks: Stewards training and coaching | Ground safety management | Crowd control | Emergencies and evacuation | Customers communication and crowds | Control and communication | Ground licensing | Regulatory compliance | Liaising with stakeholders | Risk analysis | Implementing safety policies | Staff performance supervision | Formulating strategic plans | Staffing | Safety audit | Keeping records | Ticketing | Safety plans evaluation
Highlights: Structured a fully operational stewarding system for GSP Stadium, in compliance with the Sports Violence Act of 2012 - Raised stadium safety by launching a fully integrated electronic access system (ticketing, access system and CCTV) in response to the UEFA regulations and requirements, of a total cost of € 1.2 M
Other position: Media operations - GSP Stadium and Sports Centre, Nicosia, Cyprus
Tasks: Liaise with clubs │ Press conference and interviews planning │ Media communication and coordination │ Implementation of UEFA regulations │ Official documentation to UEFA │ Media facilities management and event management │ TV Production facilities management
Highlights: Head of media operations for the UEFA Champions League Quarterfinal game of APOEL FC vs. Real Madrid - March 2012 - Developed efficient communication methods, and structured all necessary procedures to facilitate the media representatives in compliance to the UEFA media regulations
PhD in Business Administration │ Sports Management - 2021
University of Nicosia- Cyprus
MA (with distinction) in Management - 2016
University of Wolverhampton - UK
AAT in Accounting - 1999
BPP University - UK
Certificate in Security Management - 2014
Global College - Cyprus
Certificate in Football Management - 2007
Intercollege - Cyprus
Education
Industry experience
Professional qualifications
Qualified Stadium Safety Manager, UEFA stadium and security unit, 2015
Certified Trainer for Stadium Stewards, UEFA stadium and security unit, 2013