(By Domenico Palesse)
Experts and sporting champions
discussed how sport can be a lever for Saudi Arabia's growth and
modernization at an ANSA Forum on Tuesday at the 'Villaggio
Italia' in Jeddah during the 33rd stage of the Amerigo
Vespucci's world tour.
"Sport is an extremely important instrument for reform and
modernization here," said Italy's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia
Carlo Baldocci in his welcoming address at the opening of the
meeting.
"The current generation of Saudis lives in a completely
different world than the previous generation - a situation in
which, as demonstrated during the Super Cup, Italy can play a
very important role in accompanying the country's growth".
Soccer is certainly one of the areas the country is investing
most in, as shown by the big-money buys of champions of the
caliber of Cristiano Ronaldo
"Football is growing a lot here," said Guido Fienga, the former
CEO of Al Nassr and now a PIF advisor for investments in the
world of sport.
"It (the Saudi championship) has become a real competition,
where anyone can lose to anyone.
"The level of skill is certainly not at the European level, but
it's not that far away either.
"The leap forward made in recent years, which was made possible
not just by the arrival of players, but also by that of experts
from Europe, has been remarkable.
"This isn't just happening in football, but throughout the
entire sports ecosystem".
Italian Sailing Federation (Federvela) President Francesco
Ettore, who has just been re-elected, also took part in the
discussion at the Conference Hall of the Jeddah Yacht Club.
"We will accompany the Vespucci on his return home, with our
clubs all over Italy," he said, with the Italian Navy's training
ship set to return to the Mediterranean.
"We will give young people a great opportunity to see something
beautiful and exciting".
He was accompanied by Caterina Banti, who won her second
consecutive Olympic gold at Paris 2024 and has become a member
of the federation's board after retiring from competition.
"Being an Olympian requires enormous commitment, putting one's
entire life on the line at 360 degrees, trying to improve
mentally, physically, technically and tactically," she said.
"At the end of Paris I felt I had given my best and then some".
Gioacchino Alfano, the president of the Difesa Servizi agency
and a member of the parliamentarians' 'national soccer team',
was also on stage.
"There have to be MPs from all of the parties and from all of
Italy's regions on the field and we only play charity
competitions, which is fundamental," Alfano said, giving 'report
cards' on the best players, including "Francesco Boccia and
Matteo Renzi".
Towards the end of the event, the emphasis was put on the
defence ministry's role in the world of sport, with Defence
Undersecretary Isabella Rauti wrapping up the forum.
"With successes in national and international competitions over
the years, military sport is now synonymous with the leadership
excellence of Italian sport at the international level," she
said.
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