Sport

The practice of sport provides a moment of growth, commitment, and social aggregation.

As acknowledged by the European Commission in the White Paper, “sport not only represents a great benefit for the physical and mental health of the participants [...] it is also an extremely valuable tool in the context of social inclusion and integration.”

For the disadvantaged and at risk of marginalisation, sport represents an opportunity to have positive and proactive social interactions, creating a common sense of belonging and participation.

The value of sport in integration processes has also been recognised by the Council of the European Union in its Conclusions of 18 November 2010 and 25-26 November 2013. The COE calls on the Member States and the Commission to develop and strengthen cooperation between the different institutions on this issue.

At national level, in 2014 the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies and the CONI (Italian National Olympic Committee) signed a programme agreement - still in force - for the implementation of activities aimed at promoting the inclusion and integration of first- and second-generation migrant citizens through sport and at combating forms of discrimination and intolerance.

In this context, starting in 2016 the Region of Sardinia has started a steady collaboration with the FIGC-LND Sardegna, giving life to the initiative “Diamo un calcio all’intolleranza” (Let’s kick intolerance).

This event, created with the aim of promoting the practice of sport in groups at risk of social exclusion, such as migrants hosted at the local CAS (Extraordinary Reception Centres) and within SIPROIMI, could count on the active collaboration of the Association of former Cagliari football team players “ex Calciatori Rossoblù” and of the Cagliari football team.

Furthermore, considering that all members of civil society should have access to sport, and taking into account the specific needs of the less represented groups, the Region of Sardinia intends to implement a series of actions aimed at supporting, promoting and spreading the practice of sport by supporting sports clubs enrolled in the regional register.

See the documents:
White Paper on Sport of 11 July 2007; - presented by the European Commission to the Council of Europe, the European Parliament, the Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee (COM(2007) 391).