Uisp Roma for inclusion – sport to grow up together

On Saturday 18 June, the Italian event of 'Grassroots Sport Diplomacy' a European project coordinated by ISCA (International Sport and Culture Association) will take place at the Fulvio Bernardini sports facility - Via dell'Acqua Marcia 51, from 9.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. This day organised by UISP Roma aimed at facilitating, through sport and public events, the meeting of people and thus creating the basis for dialogue in the city of Rome and specifically in the Pietralata district.

The initiative will see the participation of various associations that will take part in numerous activities throughout the day. The morning opening will be the final of the Coppa Primavera, a Uisp football tournament for youth categories. This will be followed by various inclusive sports, all for adults and children to try out. During the course of the day, participants will be able to try out the following activities: Sitting Volleyball, with the collaboration of Sportacademy360; Integrated Rugby, together with the Implaccabili team and the Unione Rugby Capitolina; BxC -Baseball played by the blind and visually impaired, with the Roma All Blinds asd and the presence of the Red Foxes, innovative sports project where teams are mixed and multi-ethnic and everyone is important with their own contribution; integrated climbing, with the presence of blind people and the Asd Roma 2000 association. Also participating will be A.S.D. Passaggi nello Sport, an association established to promote sports serrvizi for amateur activity and as a means of social inclusion, integration and rehabilitation, and Community for minors "the house" of the Italian center of solidarity don Mario picchi(ceIS).

Many of the associations present work with children on a daily basis and it will also be possible to try out various activities with them, such as athletics (with the ASD Runner Trainer), various games and football (with the participation of Esquilino FC). Right on the turf, after the final of the tournament, there will be space for the grown-ups. Mental health, migrant and popular sports realities will take the field with the collaboration of Romulea Autistic Football Club. The Liberi Nantes association will be present at the event with the adults on the football pitch and the children on the athletics track. The aim of the initiative is to spend a day of inclusive sport to reduce distances, get to know different activities and new realities, and let children and adults try out different types of sports.

The sports diplomacy initiative will be developed with the event on 18 June, through an exhibition on racism in sport (currently being planned) and a round table discussion entitled 'Sport for all as a form of popular diplomacy at the service of the community' on how sport for all can be a tool to combat all forms of discrimination by involving all stakeholders and local authorities. The discussion will be held, again on 18 June, at 10:30 a.m. at the Fulvio Bernardini with the presence of Saska Benedicic Tomat (ISCA), local authorities and representatives of the associations present. It is a tried and tested formula that has proven to be useful in creating a climate that fosters greater understanding between people. In particular, Sport for All events open to the participation of all inhabitants of the local community have proved to be a support in overcoming traditional communication and relationship obstacles due to mistrust, language differences and cultural stereotypes.

The event will be followed live by Web Radio 32, a radio station created by citizens, professionals and volunteers to address fundamental health protection issues from a different perspective.