Loukas Panourgias

Who was Loukas Panourgias?

Loukas Panourgias was a Greek footballer.

At the age of 12 he went to Athens and a year later he formed an unofficial team called Niki. Soon he found himself in Panathinaikos, that was still then called Panellinios Podosfairikos Omilos. Although he was also a track and field champion, Panourgias chose football. He was part of the Olympic team for the 1920 Summer Olympics but he broke his leg and consequently did not participate in the Olympic Games. However, he overcame his injury and helped Panathinaikos in the following five years.

Panourgias fought for the acquisition of the stadium of Panathinaikos at Alexandras Avenue. Together with athletes and friends of the team he transformed the area of Perivola to a football field, which was offered to the team by the Municipality of Athens in 1922. After he retired from football, he made a successful career as a lawyer. He was also president of Panathinaikos and of the Hellenic Football Federation.

He died on 17 January 1981.