After Antonio Conte's visit to Scampia, the neighborhood mobilizes and invites him to return: the Sails Committee he addressed an open letter to the Napoli coach, expressing joy and emotion for his presence and underlining how football is a powerful tool for social redemption for the community.
“What a thrill to see Antonio Conte visit our Scampia, the Scampia of the city of Naples, which fought with determination to be reborn, tearing down the concrete monsters and building new opportunities for our people” we read in the committee's message. A territory marked by battles to obtain dignified living conditions, a neighborhood that has suffered but now asks for respect and a future.
At the heart of the letter is the fundamental role of football, seen not only as a sport, but as a means of social emancipation: “How many parents, how many children, friends and young people have been able to say no to the traps of crime thanks to a ball and four shots at a goal.” The reference is also to the Real Sails, the local football team that embodies the courage and resistance of a people who have been fighting against prejudice and difficulties for 40 years.
The final appeal is a sincere invitation: “Mister, come back and visit us. To get to know us, to discover our football reality and to demonstrate once again how sport – and especially football, here in Naples – is capable of working miracles. You are right: a Scampia great and incredible things are being done. And we want to do them together.”
Article published on March 4, 2025 - 16pm
It's nice that Antonio Conte visited Scampia, but I wonder if football can really make a difference. The letter from the Comitato Vele is an interesting initiative, but the challenges are many and I don't know if a coach is enough.