The celebrations of World Refugee Day 2024 promoted by the Badia Grande social cooperative came into full swing yesterday in Marsala. In the splendid setting of Piazza della Vittoria, the municipal councilor for Social Services of the Municipality of Marsala Giusy Piccione kicked off the human table football tournament. AND
It was the first time that a human table football was seen in the city and it immediately attracted the attention of passers-by, many of whom stopped to watch the teams “on the pitch” competing with determination in this discipline. The meetings were attended by the Sports councilor Ignazio Bilardello, the social worker of the Municipality of Marsala Vincenza Lorena Cincotta, Greta Margagliotti (SAI Valderice, Alcamo and Palermo project coordinator), Lorena Tortorici (SAI Marsala project coordinator) and Valentina Vicari (Coordinator UASC area), as well as the multidisciplinary teams of the Reception Centers involved in the initiative.
8 teams each made up of eight “footballers” take part in the tournament: MSNA BONAGIA, MSNA Mappamondo, MSNA Salemi, SAI Valderice, SAI Alcamo, SAI Marsala, SAI Marsala (Buseto Palazzolo headquarters), SAI Marsala (Paceco headquarters), composed by young migrants aged between 16 and 26 of different nationalities. The athletes who took to the field were all guests of the reception centers for SAI adults and unaccompanied foreign minors (MSNA) managed by the Cooperativa Sociale Badia Grande in the province of Trapani.
The second day of the human table football tournament will be played on Wednesday in Valderice, the third day will be played on Friday in Custonaci and, in the same location, the semi-finals and final will be held on Saturday. Following this, locals and migrants will share the emotions of football with “We cheer together at the European Championships”, a moment of aggregation, socialization and integration with the live screening of the Italy-Albania match. Finally, to celebrate, lots of good live music with “ForeWay”
The events promoted by the Badia Grande Social Cooperative are not limited to the human table football tournament but run until June 28th.
In fact, we continue on Sunday 16 June in Alcamo (Cassaro Stretto) where guests of the reception centers managed by the Coop Sociale Badia Grande will participate in the “Mediterranean of Peace” event (multi-ethnic table in the streets of the historic centre).
Friday 21 June at the San Pietro Monumental Complex in Marsala (10:00/13:00) a cultural event on the theme “Every story deserves to be heard”. On Saturday 22 June at the Cantine Chitarra (6.00 pm – 12.00 am) there will be a discussion talk and a final moment characterized by conviviality and celebration. V
The final event will be held in Alcamo on Friday 28 June with the screening of the film “Under the same sky – We have the right to a happy life”.
