By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Unknown perpetrators set an explosive device to hit the store of Nikos Pitsilkas in his hometown Larissa before sunrise Sunday.
The destructive wave left the shop part of the Gaea Lifestyle Center mall in ruins with the exact extent of the damage yet to be estimated. Fortunately and partly because the explosion was timed just after five in the morning with a complete lack of customers, no injuries have been reported to local authorities. Following the police and fire departments called by alarmed local residents to the scene, counter-terrorism units arrived to aid in investigating the incident looking to identify the people responsible and the motive for placing the explosive device outside of the store.
Pitsilkas, 65, is currently employed by the Hellenic Basketball Federation as the special advisor regarding referees across Greek leagues. He was appointed at the top of the 2022-23 season.
As a referee, he participated in the 2000 and 2008 Olympic Games, the 2002 World Cup, five editions of EuroBasket, and four EuroLeague Final Four, besides multiple more assignments in domestic and continental games. Introducing himself to the officiating stage in Greece in 1983, he became an international referee in 1990 and called it a day 19 years later, in 2009.
Since retiring from active participation in games at the highest level all around the world, wrapping up a long successful refereeing career, he stayed in basketball and used the experience to serve as FIBA commissioner and instructor, president of Greece’s Referee Central Committee, and VTB Officiating Chief.