The appointment of the new Director General of the Cyprus Sports Organisation (KOA) has been approved by the Council of Ministers, but the decision has been overshadowed by allegations concerning the recruitment process, which are now being examined by the Audit Office.
The complaints concern both the evaluation of candidates and the salary placement of the successful applicant. The appointment is expected to be formally published in the Official Gazette in the coming days.
Three key allegations
According to the complaint, the evaluation of applications was assigned to a private company to ensure an independent and objective selection process.
However, it is alleged that after the company completed its assessment and submitted a shortlist of leading candidates, the KOA Board of Directors made changes to the list, excluding one individual from the interview stage.
The complaint also claims that some candidates who remained on the shortlist had previously been found not to meet the required criteria during a review of the same position in June 2025. According to the complainant, the current director general was among those candidates.
A second allegation relates to the weighting of the interview process.
It is claimed that the personal interview accounted for 70% of the total assessment score, giving it a decisive influence over the final ranking of candidates compared with other evaluation criteria.
The third allegation concerns the salary placement of the new director general.
According to the complaint, despite the position being a five-year contractual appointment, the successful candidate was placed at the top step of the A16 pay scale rather than at the entry level, which the complainant argues is stipulated by both the approved scheme of service and the vacancy announcement.
Ministry response
Speaking to Politis, Education, Sport and Youth Minister Athena Michailidou confirmed that the appointment was approved at the latest Cabinet meeting and said the decision is expected to be published shortly in the Official Gazette.
Asked about the allegations, Michailidou said the ministry had not received any formal complaint.
She added, however, that any complaint submitted would be investigated, as is the case with all such matters.
The minister also stressed that the ministry was not responsible for conducting the recruitment process, noting that the appointment proposal was submitted by the KOA Board, which had the responsibility of ensuring that all procedures complied with the relevant legislation and regulations.
KOA rejects claims
For his part, KOA President Yiannis Ioannou rejected suggestions of irregularities.
Speaking to Politis, he said:
"We did everything provided for by the legislation and the relevant regulations."
He added that the appointment was made in accordance with the terms set out in the vacancy announcement.
The allegations are now before the Audit Office, which is examining the case.
