He's spending his few days of summer vacation in Chia. Before returning to Rome after the August bank holiday weekend, he's taking a break at the seaside, punctuated by tennis matches with Angelo Binaghi and Fiorello, a dinghy ride to enjoy the wonders of the crystal-clear water, some reading, and meetings with local businesspeople. Andrea Abodi, Minister for Sport and Youth in the Meloni government, has been familiar with Sardinian sports for many years. As head of LegaB, he participated in the conception of the idea for Cagliari's new stadium with the "B Futura" project. As president of the Istituto per il Credito Sportivo, now expanded to include cultural activities, he has followed the entire process related to the possible construction of the new Sant'Elia stadium: "It took 11 years, including waiting and rethinking the project," says Abodi. Time has flown by, and Cagliari president Tommaso Giulini deserves credit, not just praise: he was determined and persistent in sticking to his guns, aware, as an entrepreneur, that the club's enormous legacy of history, reputation, and fans needed to be enhanced with a home worthy of the club's ambitions and representative of the pride of all of Sardinia and its people.
Minister, are we really there yet?
Yes, finally, we're in the final stages of the formal process. Work will begin by spring 2027, starting with the demolition of the old Sant'Elia Stadium. This will usher in a new era for the appearance of many of the stadiums competing for Euro 2032, thanks also to the Government Commissioner, engineer Massimo Sessa, who has the credentials and tools to streamline the bureaucratic and administrative process.
The stadium will cost a lot, around 220 million.
Perhaps a little less, but still much more than initial estimates. In recent years, many external factors have altered the economic framework, which, in any case, will also require public resources, in addition to those from the private developer. The government will also make other financial instruments available for the Cagliari stadium, with a portfolio of options defined with Minister Giorgetti: guarantees, interest rate subsidies, and equity.
What does it mean?
"That all the conditions are in place, beyond Euro 2032, for the new Cagliari stadium but also, more generally, for the renovation of all football facilities, starting with Serie A. I hope that the football system will do its part to intervene in all the other areas that need reform, to regain competitiveness and credibility, and improve the product and the relationship with the public, starting with the fans."
Football aside, can sport and tourism become a winning combination in Sardinia too?
"Sport and tourism are already a positive combination in Sardinia, but we can do more to make this wonderful island a four-season destination. Just this past holiday, I attended a meeting where some professionals asked me for advice on how to identify new sporting opportunities."
The will is there, then.
Enchanting places like Chia, and there are many others in Sardinia, must and can be enjoyed year-round. The regional tourism department is doing a lot, but there's room for growth by also engaging with hoteliers and developing an integrated air travel plan.
And what sport could help bring about this change of direction on the island?
"In my opinion, golf is still underdeveloped and very disjointed. It would make a dramatic leap in quality, especially during the months when there's no beach tourism, which is, dare I say, a given here."
It's not the first time this has been talked about.
But it's time to take action. I'm convinced that this region could become an even more formidable destination, as has happened with Spain and Portugal, which have far less glamorous and attractive characteristics than Sardinia, but have built their fortunes on their network of golf resorts. I'd add two notable details: this development prospect could have enormous appeal among a segment of the public that doesn't congregate in traditional destinations and also has a good spending power.
Phase B is implementation.
"We first need to think about it, and I'm doing it comprehensively for the eight regions of Southern Italy. We're trying to design a golf real estate fund: it will serve the development of infrastructure, not just golf courses, but also three-tier infrastructure."
Which?
"The first, of course, is the sporting sector, with golf quality calibrated to international standards. Then there's the hotel industry, strongly focused on wellness. Finally, a high-quality residential sector, very limited, but one that helps balance the numbers somewhat. Public and private investments, great attention to environmental sustainability, and significant socioeconomic benefits. We have to make it happen."
What is the state of health of Italian sport?
It's well-reported in the news. Not a day goes by without extraordinary results from male and female athletes, in all disciplines. And this, soccer aside, means there's an ability to identify talent, train it, and, above all, demonstrate that in Italy we don't just have soloists, but now we have "schools" in many disciplines, within which, as the news is confirming, generational change is also guaranteed. The successes of "our" athletes in swimming in all its forms, in athletics, tennis, fencing, gymnastics, sailing, and many other disciplines speak for themselves. Suffice it to say that, even in surfing, we have the world's number one, the great Leonardo Fioravanti.
In short, almost all disciplines are in our DNA.
But we must continue to improve the level and spread of sports. This also helps combat a sedentary lifestyle and digital loneliness. We need more young people, more adolescents, and more children to participate in sports regularly, starting in schools. This is not only to achieve high-level success, but above all to contribute to the physical and mental well-being of individuals and communities.
In Sardinia the lack of facilities is making itself felt.
Facilities alone don't solve the problem. A sports culture is essential because it makes you want to participate in activities even if a facility isn't exactly up to expectations or needs. And this is a theme we need to develop further, which also involves major events, but which starts in school. That's where it becomes essential to cultivate a sports culture, to make people want to play sports even when the school bell rings.
But we need to understand if there is money.
We need to discuss this with the Region and the Sardinian National Association of Municipalities (ANCI), because what worries me a little is the lack of financial resources. Therefore, we need to strengthen the strategic plan, which is the foundation of everything. I will propose to President Todde that we work together on analyses and numbers, to understand what is available and its condition, and what is missing, for all types of facilities. After that, we'll move on to technical and financial planning.
So, will he soon arrange to meet with the Region?
"We have an excellent relationship with the president, the councilors for Sport, Social Policies, and Tourism, and there's no shortage of opportunities to meet. There have been resources for sport from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), and some have arrived, but we need to evaluate their impact and whether it's sufficient or not. Just to give two examples: there are resources we make available every year through the Sport Periferie call for proposals, and there's the Sport Illumina project entrusted to our company Sport e Salute. Furthermore, the Sport and Cultural Credit program annually provides significant resources to municipalities at a zero-interest rate for 15 years. Opportunities must be seized, with a comprehensive plan in place."
What was done using these funds?
I'm sure there will be plenty of opportunities to explore this together. Furthermore, the Region has signed the 2021-27 Development and Cohesion Agreement with the Government, along with President Meloni, which provides Sardinia with significant resources for sports facilities. I'll be happy, in the spirit of loyal collaboration that has been demonstrated on so many occasions, to discuss this issue to further strengthen and enhance the relationship.
On what other topics?
The government, for the first time in history, has allocated one billion euros for school gyms. This is a very important issue. We are about to launch a series of measures to improve the energy efficiency of sports facilities, another very important topic. We are developing a campaign with the Paralympic Committee and other institutions to introduce people with disabilities who don't yet participate in sports. Furthermore, a few days ago we launched another very important call for proposals in a socially relevant segment: 50 million euros for oratory sports fields. We will try to determine, in collaboration with the Episcopal Conference, whether Sardinia's parishes need to upgrade their oratories and how many are able to access these resources. In short, there is no shortage of financial opportunities; we must seize them with a clear vision.
Returning to football, have you made peace with Malagò?
"There's a portrayal of relationships that, at times, is even a bit caricatured. There are no arguments, there are no enemies: here there are discussions and, at times, differences of opinion. The only thing that interests me is the improvement of the sports system in general and football in particular, with reforms that bring this discipline back to high levels and restore its credibility, starting with justice, which must be timely, efficient, and equal for all."
Should we look to the Binaghi model, which made Italian tennis great?
"It's certainly a successful school that continues to have the potential for renewal, even at the youth level. And it demonstrates that results don't happen by chance, especially when they're not the result of an isolated talent, however extraordinary, but, as I said, of a school, a model."
Which team does Minister Abodi support?
"For Lazio. It's a passion born when I was a teenager, shared in the family, and now passed down from father to son. Until last season, I was a season ticket holder in the Tribuna Tevere. But on a different level, a special place in my heart is dedicated to the national team."
