Not just sport, but also inclusion, integration, discussion, the joy of being together, these are the fundamental elements that distinguished it the final phase of the Italian Blind Tennis Championships held at the PalaMili in Messina on 15 and 16 June.
Particularly satisfied Sandro Di Girolamo, President of Fispic (Italian Paralympic Sports Federation for the visually impaired and blind) to which the discipline of Blind Tennis belongs, who chose Messina for this important event also considering the fact that like Blind Tennis, also Global Social Inclusive chaired by Antonella Rigano, is a very young company from Messina. A sports club that embodies the fighting and proud spirit of its president, eager to quickly overcome all the stages to become a reality on a national level.
Two athletes from Messina Antonella Rigano and Tindara Casablanca who tried to oppose the excessive power of the Lombard, Emilian and Friuli Venezia Giulia battleships but, without success because, experience in this sport is fundamental.
The path taken is certainly encouraging, as demonstrated by the presence by the municipal councilor for Sport Massimo Finocchiaro who has always supported, encouraged and held in high regard the sports disciplines practiced by people with a handicap. Alongside him, as an expert of the municipality, Francesco Giorgio provincial delegate of the CIP (Italian Paralympic Committee).
Councilor Finocchiaro attended the award ceremony of the three new Italian blind tennis champions: Daniela Pierri of Virtus Tennis Bologna female category B1 (absolutely blind); Renzo Dal Cont of the Asdc Arcobaleno of San Vito al Tagliamento Pordenone, category B1 (absolutely blind) male and Davide Viglianti of the Gsd Nv Milano category B2 (impaired vision) male.
At the conclusion of the Messina races, president Sandro Di Girolamo gave appointment in Lignano Sabbiadoro where the Blind Tennis world championship will be held in September which already sees over 140 athletes registered.
Even the sports director of the Blind Tennis sector Paolo Chinellato recognized the Messina-based club as an important point of reference for the promotion of sport for blind and visually impaired people.
Sports initiatives such as Blind Tennis contribute to breaking down cultural barriers, those that are most difficult to eradicate because the mental obtuseness of a part of society considers disabled people as “incapable” people who cannot aspire to play a leading role in the various areas of society, from work to sports. Defeating these stereotypes helps to make society, which belongs to everyone and not just some people, more inclusive and welcoming.
We grow the moment we consider and look “the other”, be it disabled, migrant, black, yellow, tall, short, thin, fat, homosexual, like a brother with whom to travel the same path without self and without buts.
