‘We live on an island where nepotism rules; where there are literally no ladders to climb’
“We don’t like risks in Cyprus, do we?” asks Loui. “I reckon we tend to sit where we land. Why take a chance when you believe your path is already decided by connections rather than effort?”
40-year-old Loui Orphanou has been taking risks his entire life. He risked the promise of a secure career to pursue his passion for paintball, put all his savings into the business, and has made it into a career.
And, most recently he took an untried, untested paintball team to the European Championships in Paris.
He’s immensely proud of his team. The six players (only one of whom had ever attended an international competition) competed in the prestigious Division 4 X-Ball category, pitted against far more experienced teams: groups from Brazil, France and Germany with years of practice, excellent equipment and professional backing.
In contrast, Loui’s squad, the PBCY Factory Team, had relatively little experience, no local sponsorship and no support crew.
“It was a huge risk to take – both going to Paris, and the strategies we employed once there,” says Loui. “Nobody expected anything from us – we were just some forgettable team from a tiny island that has no reputation in this sport.
“But, as we advanced through five full rounds of competition, we made bold moves, took chances, employed calculated risks and ran routes our opponents never expected. And we won!”
It’s a staggering achievement for PBCY Factory Team, who hail from Cyprus Paintball – a venture co-owned by paintball veterans Jimmy Georgiou and Loui.
“The majority of teams travel with pit crews, equipment managers and support staff,” says Loui. “We went alone. And though the guys were nervous coming into the tournament, we won! We put Cyprus on the paintball map and made other nations reconsider what a small, untested team can do when it’s driven by pure determination, teamwork and a willingness to take risks that others might avoid.”
Loui has thought a lot about this, and how it relates to what he knows of Cyprus.
“I reckon we live on an island where nepotism rules; where there are literally no ladders to climb. For many people, that makes taking risks feel pointless.
“And when everything is designed to keep things the same, it makes it hard to improve yourself, hard to challenge yourself, and hard to find the motivation to push beyond what’s expected.”
Wild as it seems, Loui’s suspicions are indeed backed by data. A recent study into the island’s sociocultural profile reveals that Cyprus scores higher on a cultural dimension called Uncertainty Avoidance than any other country in the world.
This measure (one of Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions) refers to how comfortable a society is with ambiguity, uncertainty and risk, how it approaches decisions, whether they be in business, work or everyday life.
In high Uncertainty Avoidance cultures, people tend to feel threatened by unknown situations. Instead, they prefer clear rules, structures and security; avoid embracing personal risk or innovation; seek stable, long-term employment; and adhere strictly to rules and regulations to minimise unpredictability.
In Cyprus, with its long and complex history, this desire for stability makes sense. But is it always working for us, asks Loui?
“Somehow, we’ve become a nation that believes the best possible job is with the government, because – even if you hate what you do – you’ll have security for life. That we should never step out of our comfort zones. That we should repress our emotions and toe the line – even when what we’re being told to do makes no sense.
“Paintball teaches the opposite,” he admits. “I’m not saying we’re a group of rebels who want to do everything differently. But we do learn that strategic risks make for high reward, that nothing ever changes unless you take a chance.”
As not only the captain of the winning team but also an experienced paintball coach, Loui, and Jimmy, have helped numerous people learn to overcome their ingrained fear of uncertainty.
“We have seen so many new players come in really shy and timid, unsure of themselves and lacking confidence. Paintball changes that: it that gives you the confidence to try new things, to push your limits, and to take calculated risks. It teaches you that stepping out of your comfort zone is where real growth happens.
“This isn’t about luck,” he adds. “Luck is what gamblers rely on, and it rarely ends well. When you take calculated risks, working within a close-knit team that’s built on trust, you create your own success.”
Loui’s mention of teamwork is another factor worth exploring. In the European Social Survey, Cyprus scored highest on nations where ‘colleagues would not give work-related help’, and lowest on ‘how much individuals feel part of a team’.
“It’s something I see all the time,” Loui explains. “People are used to doing things on their own, maybe because they think they can’t rely on others. But I don’t believe that mentality will get you far – either in paintball or in life. The best teams are the ones that trust and support each other, and that’s where real success happens.”
Loui attributes the team’s victory to just such strategies: taking risks, trusting your team-mates; embracing rather than avoiding uncertainty.
“If I’d spent my life trying to avoid uncertainty, I’d probably be working for a distant cousin in a dead-end job,” he muses. “I would never have found a sport I’m immensely passionate about, turned it into a career, and then helped put together a team that would take on the best of the best from other countries.
“I’m not saying this is the route for everyone,” he adds. “But I do think Cyprus could stand to take a few more risks. Or at least try to take chances,” he concludes. “After all, you can’t win if you don’t try.”
For more information on Cyprus Paintball, visit paintballcyprus.com
