Messenian Gymnastics Association

The "Messenian Gymnastics Association" was founded in 1888 and is one of the oldest sports clubs in the country. Since its creation, the Association has been staffed by important personalities of the city, who gave it prestige and impetus. The main goal of the Association is to satisfy young people’s needs for Physical Education, as well as the education of the young through sports activity and training.

In 1925, the "Messenian Gymnastics Association" took the lead in organising the "First Peloponnesian Athletics Games", while in the 1920s, it organised the "Eleftheria" athletics competitions, from which the "Papaflessia" later emerged, which continue to this day. Also, the first volleyball match in Kalamata was held at the Association's premises.

Today, it maintains five sports departments: athletics, women's volleyball, weightlifting, football and cycling, which have achieved many national awards. The seat of the Association is Messeniakos Stadium in Kalamata, which was built in 1967.

Since 2002, there has been the "Association of Veteran Footballers of Messenia", which brings all the athletes who played in its jersey together by taking part in veteran matches while, at the same time, being socially and culturally active.