Respect, passion, fair competition and team spirit. The first 'Day of Italian Sport in the World' was celebrated yesterday evening in Istanbul under the banner of these values, which unite sport and diplomacy. An event hosted by the Ambassador of Italy in Turkey, Giorgio Marrapodi, at Palazzo di Venezia, part of the 'Meetürkitaly' cycle, an embassy initiative to share experiences and identify innovative models of success between Italy and Turkey.
The protagonists were Vincenzo Montella and Daniele Santarelli, coaches of the Turkish national football and women's volleyball teams, who, during the evening, highlighted the many ties between Italy and Turkey, addressing crucial issues related to the world of sport on which the two countries share a common sensitivity. Successful icons of Italian sport, Montella and Santarelli are beloved figures throughout Turkey for the successes they have achieved in the name of team spirit and solidarity, as demonstrated during the earthquake that struck the south-east of the country in 2023. The event was moderated by Turkish journalist Deniz Aksoy, a former student of the Italian High School in Istanbul.
At the opening, the president of the Turkish Football Federation, Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu, and of the Volleyball Federation, Akif Ustundag, emphasised how sport is an element of sharing and stimulation as well as a tool for strengthening bilateral relations, as demonstrated by the joint organisation between Italy and Turkey of the European Football Championship in 2032. "Sport and diplomacy are a fundamental pair in today's world," said Marrapodi. "Promoted by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, the first Italian Sport in the World Day is an opportunity to reaffirm values that unite cultures and societies. Italy is a protagonist in this field, and proof of this is the organisation of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina'.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
