Sports and Inclusion, American padel stars Samson and Hassan in Rome

Rome, November 20. (askanews) – “Thank you very much for being here. We are delighted. We are happy to cooperate with Athletica Vaticana. What a wonderful organisation. Pope Francis has told us all that sport can unite and include all the different groups and people from all over the world. All over the world” .

Joe Donnelly, US Ambassador to the Holy See, talks about “sports diplomacy”, a program promoted by the US State Department, or sports as a tool for inclusion. Brotherhood and solidarity. From 13 to 17 November, the diplomatic mission led by Donnelly together with Athletica Vaticana, the official multi-sport association of the Holy See, welcomed “Sports Envoys” Andrea Sampson and Anderson Goode, American professional padel athletes, for an experience dedicated to the Holy See. The most authentic sporting values. In addition to participating in the general meeting with the Holy Father on November 15.

Andrea Samson: “Rome is beautiful. In the first two days we were able to tour the city and explore it. Everything is very beautiful: the streets, the food, the people are very kind. We were then able to meet the kids from the program, play paddle board with them, and meet the ambassador and all the school staff. So far everything has been great. “< /p>

From the “Villa Pamphili Padel Club” which saw Andrea and Anderson meet young people with disabilities accompanied by the associations “Padelmania for social” and “We are dolphins – let’s learn from autism”, vulnerable people were welcomed from Caritas Roma, students and diplomats. The ceremony was attended by children from the State Institute for Specialized Education for the Deaf “Magaroto” and the “21 Luglio” Association. The Magarotto ship was also a stop on the tour.

Anderson Goode emphasizes the importance of the experience: “It is a great honor to be a ‘Sports Envoy’ for the State Department. Something I have always believed. Something I have felt during my days as an athlete and coach: Sports are an educational medium like no other; it feels extra powerful.”

With the association “21 Luglio”, Andrea and Anderson were also in the former Fienile complex in Tor Bella Monaca. Highly thematic focus: Empowerment of young women and sport as a tool for social growth for marginalized and vulnerable communities.

Report by Christina Giuliano

Edited by Linda Verzani< /p>

Photos askanews, Embassy of the United States of America to the Holy See