"We can play futsal": Cagliari at the event to promote inclusion through sport

Before giving space to the guests, with the dialogue between the goalkeepers Alen Sherri and Anthea Polloni, Costanza Musso of Gruppo Grendi addressed a greeting to the young people: « In life I understood immediately that boys and girls were different but complementary, that as a woman I had great potential to bring out and I didn't have to let anything stop me . With commitment and perseverance I was able to reach my goals. You too never give up ».

The Albanian goalkeeper said: «I am happy to bring a message to all the young people who have a dream. I was born in Albania and since I was a child I wanted to play in Serie A, I managed to make it happen. I tell every girl and boy to believe in their dreams, whatever they are, and to commit themselves day after day, trying not to get discouraged when difficulties arise . In my city the first women's team in Albania was created, I happened to play with the girls and I had fun with them without having any preconceptions: little by little women's football has grown. The national team? Wearing that shirt is a huge satisfaction for me, it makes me proud. The city of Cagliari? Splendid, it resembles the city where I grew up in my country; I am receiving so much affection from the fans, I cannot ask for more».

Anthea Polloni adds: «I am happy to be here to tell my story. Since I was a child I have had to reconcile study and sport. I grew up in the Inter youth sector, unfortunately I had a serious injury at sixteen and I lost the desire to play and make sacrifices: once I returned from the injury, in fact, I stopped and for a year I did nothing. Luckily I attended the sports high school and thanks to the school and a teacher who encouraged me I started playing five-a-side football again. The relationship with the boys? As a child I played with them and for me this was a great stimulus and a reason to give even more, I always found great inclusion and my family also encouraged me and never hindered me ». Like Sherri, Anthea also defends the goal of the national team: «Every time I wear the blue jersey I feel grateful and proud, it is something I cannot explain because I represent my country and I can compare myself with those who also have more experience».

The meeting continued with the testimony of Alessandro Vinciguerra and Antonia Giugliano, both from Campania who were “transplanted” to the Island.

These are the words of the Primavera striker: «I arrived in Sardinia at 14, it was difficult to leave my family and friends. I made my debut at 16 in the Primavera and at 17 I scored my first goal. I didn't expect to go through this journey, full of beautiful sensations and emotions. I hope one day to make my debut in the first team to be able to thank the fans and show the love I have for this shirt ».

The Cagliari Calcio a 5 Femminile midfielder says: «As a child I never played with dolls, I preferred to play football. Now the boys are on the phone a lot, while I went to the oratory. I was lucky enough to be seen in a women's tournament by an A2 club, Salernitana, the team from my city, who gave me a tryout. I owe everything to them, the path I took allowed me to play in Sardinia. Futsal? A beautiful, intense, engaging sport: I invite all young people to see at least one match . Cagliari represents my first experience outside my homeland, to which I am very attached. I worked hard on myself, the first few days I wanted to run away because I had left my comfort zone and I couldn't detach myself. But over time I got used to it and I gave it my all. I hope young people can face their fears, believe in themselves and bring out all their talent».

Closing the day of awareness and reflection was champion Najla Aqdeir, a middle-distance runner of Libyan origins, who shared her experience of redemption through sport, involving young people in her journey that led her to escape from a forced marriage to become an international athlete: "I was born in Libya, where women can't do anything, so I started running in the streets of my city. I did everything by running, and people thought I was autistic, but I didn't care. I'm proud to run and to be a woman who managed to redeem herself through sport, experiencing wonderful sensations. I invite boys and girls to use the phone, and especially social media, in a healthy way ."

(Online Union)