Piazza del Carmine, which has always been the beating heart of Neapolitan life, hosted the city's first street football tournament, an event that brought the world's most popular game back to its roots, among the high-rise buildings and ancient churches that surround the area. This square, which for a long time was the scene of night-time games between neighborhoods, often accompanied by clandestine betting, has now welcomed a real, collapsible pitch, a symbol of a return to the origins of football.
The start of the tournament was marked by the kick-off entrusted to the international referee of Calcio AIA, Fabio Maresca, who highlighted the profound meaning of playing in the streets and the emotion of hearing the anthem of the Champions League in this unique context. Before the kick-off, the boys of the Youth Association of Naples, Asso.gio.ca., promoter of the event, unfurled a large flag of peace.
“Our association has always been at the side of young people at risk, to prevent illegality and youth crime”, explained Gianfranco Wurzburger, president of Asso.gio.ca. "We believe that playing in the street is the best way to make people understand that you can only win by playing together: in sports as in life. In the past years, Piazza Mercato has become a 'no man's land' with 'spontaneous' football tournaments without respect for the rules: this is where our idea of bringing order where it is lacking comes from".
The event, the result of a collaboration with the Youth Ministry Office of the Archdiocese of Naples, “L'Altra Napoli” and “Noi Oratori Napoli”, obtained the patronage of the Municipality of Naples, CONI Campania and the II Municipality. “This little field”, anticipated Wurzburger, “it will remain in the possession of Asso.gio.ca. and will be used for 'itinerant' events in other squares of the city”, thus ensuring that the initiative can continue to promote the values of sport and inclusion throughout Naples.
Article published on 16 April 2024 - 14:17
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