The beautiful initiative at the Cnos of Castel de Britti. The lesson of 'Cippo' to the Salesian boys: "Sport, a gym for life"

The experience of those who have realized the dream of a lifetime, treading the most prestigious football stages from Italy to Europe, and with dedication have managed to reach important goals despite having to face difficult challenges. James "Cippo" Cipriani he is the example of how it is possible to achieve your goals with determination, encounter obstacles, physical in his case, but never give up and who better than him than with the jersey of Bologna he was born and raised there and could tell how the football and Sports in general they can be perhaps the most powerful social medium.

The former rossoblù striker tried in his own way to bring this testimony to the boys of Salesian Vocational Training Center - Don Bosco of Castel de Britti, in a face to face meeting in which 'Cippo' wanted to share with an audience of young people aged between 15 and 18 his experiences but also what football and sport have given him and what he has tried to give back in the years since he hung up his boots.

"It all started from a chance meeting - says Cipriani - I met the director of CNOS, Carlo Caleffi thanks to the director of BCC Felsinea Monia Carbone and I accepted his invitation to meet these guys. I immediately said yes because it is a topic that is very close to my heart, in these years in which I have coached I have met many young people with different stories, some have lost themselves while others have emerged with willpower. I think that sport has an incredible power, that it can give many a second chance and is a unique opportunity for socializing".

The institute, which offers free professional courses funded by the Emilia-Romagna Region, hosts young people who are not only Italian but also from different countries, from the Philippines to Colombia. Some with difficult backgrounds, who thanks to the opportunities of the structure can enter the world of work, growing and learning to be autonomous. "We showed the kids who Giacomo was for Bologna and for Bologna - explains Carboni -, some of them are big fans. They listened to his experience but above all the themes of teamwork, of how character is the bearer of values ​​that we carry within us not only in football".

An intense moment that could be just the beginning for Cipriani: "A dream can guide you in the right direction – said the former rossoblù striker –. We will see how we can expand this collaboration to help these guys in an even more concrete way".

Gianluca Sepe