NAPOLI (ITALPRESS) – Sport as a strategic lever for the country, able to combine economic growth and social cohesion. This is the guiding thread of “The social and industrial soul of sport”, the book of Vito Cozzoli, today CEO of Autostrade dello Stato, with the preface of Beppe Marotta (Edizioni Piemme), presented in the afternoon in Naples, at the headquarters of the FOQUS Foundation, in the heart of the Spanish Quarters. The meeting offered the opportunity to deepen the content of a volume born from the author’s experience leading Sport and Health in the three years 2020-2023 as President and CEO. A period marked by large investments – more than € 3.2 billion – aimed at relaunching basic sports and promoting the correct lifestyles. An action that, despite the pandemic, has produced concrete results, from the valorization of the great international sporting events to the diffusion of sport in every corner of the country, even in the most difficult and inconvenienced areas, as a prey for psycho-physical well-being and legality.
At the centre of the book, a vision of sport as an integrated system: on one side industrial sector capable of generating employment, innovation and growth, on the other social soul, instrument of inclusion and educational factor. A twofold dimension also emerged during the confrontation, through the story of projects activated in the outskirts, in schools and prisons, able to involve millions of young people and strengthen the link between sport and community. The presentation took part, together with the author, the mayor of Naples, Gaetano Manfredi, Don Antonio Loffredo and the former Olympic champion Massimiliano Rosolino, with the moderation of journalist Bruno Majorano de “Il Mattino”. A dialogue between different experiences, united by the awareness of the increasingly central role of sport in contemporary society. “The book returns an idea of sport that holds together economic dimension and social function – Cozzoli said –, recounting an area that today is the country’s infrastructure to all effects. The experience gained on the field, also through the projects carried out in Naples between Ponticelli, Arenella and Rione Sanità, shows how sport for all can become a concrete instrument of inclusion and regeneration of the territories. It is from these realities that the most important challenge is to speak to young people and make them protagonists.”.
“I particularly wanted to be there, for Vito (Cozzoli, ndr) and for the theme, which puts together two apparently distant words, but which in reality are not: social and industrial. Sports – said the mayor of Naples, Gaetano Manfredi – for all means good rules for the youngest, employ their energy in a positive way and, for adults, have a healthier lifestyle. Inside the sport there is the life of people: there are rules, competition, ransom, recovery. Naples, in this, has great examples, champions like Rosolino, who are the pride of the city and who serve people, being models of reference. Sport is a social and economic opportunity. The fact that many competitions want to come here means a lot: the big events represent a growth lever for the city. Also in the next America Cup there will be room for social: it will be a party for everyone”.
Don Loffredo recalled the social and community role of sports activities: “In the most fragile districts, sport can become a gateway to hope. It is a simple but powerful tool to build relationships, create trust and restore dignity to people and places.” Rosolino stressed the educational value of sport, especially for the new generations: “Sport teaches you discipline, respect and ability to rise after a defeat. Bringing it into the territories and making it accessible to all means giving the boys a real opportunity of growth, not only athletic but human. At the same time it is a system that today has an increasingly structured dimension capable of creating work, professionalism and opportunities related to innovation and organization of events”.
– photo press office Vito Cozzoli –
(ITALPRESS).
