Bari, 30 April 2024 – The Department of Mechanics, Mathematics and Management (DMMM) of the Polytechnic of Bari hosted the final meeting of the philanthropic project “CUSability, Sport without limits” yesterday afternoon. The promoters, athletes with different abilities, returning from the first regional swimming competition, and their families participated.
“University of Bari and CUS Bari, Rotary of the Metropolitan City of Bari and the sponsors Opera Pia Monte di Pietà and Confidenze di Molfetta and Banca Aletti are the main actors of the project “CUSability, Sport without limits”, – explains the professor Riccardo Amirante, president of the Rotary Club of Bari illustrating the initiative which he defines as a “socio-sports experiment” – There are two fundamental components: the sporting aspect, the main one, in which children with different degrees of ability have the opportunity to try their hand at aquatic activities with the aim to have an approach that is certainly not re-educational but absolutely sporting-competitive to identify talents who can participate in competitions also at a regional and national level. The second aspect is that of socialization, the human aspect. If placed in a competitive-sporting environment, these young people develop an awareness of their body and their abilities and also exploit relational and social dynamics that enhance their value”.
In other words, the project intends to provide young people with disabilities the opportunity to spend their free time by promoting socio-sports integration and the affirmation of a culture capable of integrating diversity by recognizing its value. In this context, sporting activity is not only understood as a physical practice but as an existential value in the person, as an experience of personal growth to respond to one’s internal needs.
Launched in July 2023, the project aims to enhance sport as a great tool for inclusion and social cohesion to make a difference in improving the quality of life of people with different abilities and their families. “For years, the University Sports Center of the University of Bari has paid particular attention to children with different abilities, who benefit from practicing sports – says Doctor Antonio Prezioso, president of CUS Bari – I would like to underline that our Center does not create ad hoc courses. Kids with different abilities attend courses open to all precisely for the sake of inclusion: in sport you shouldn’t feel different, sport is the same for everyone, we all start on an equal footing. Our structure, for years, has been open to all Paralympic activities, also in collaboration with the regional CIP, we welcome everyone and all the projects promoted by the Associations, within the limits of space or facilities”.
During the meeting, the excellent results obtained by the athletes last Sunday in the Canosa di Puglia swimming pool during the first round of the FISDIR (Italian Paralympic Sports Federation of Relational Intellectuals) Regional Swimming Championships were recalled and the program for the next one was presented preparation period in view of further regional and national competitions.
It was also an educational and human experience for the technicians and volunteers who participated in the project. He talks about it Chiara Morgese, federal triathlon instructor, underlining that “it wasn’t easy at the beginning. We tried, first of all, to get to know the kids, let them settle in and gain their trust because they found themselves among new faces, in a new situation. Our task was first and foremost to get them into the water, make them play, have fun and make them relax. When they settled in, we chose to form groups to let them get to know each other, before dedicating ourselves to the technical part: the swim, backstroke and freestyle, the starts, the arrival. To meet their difficulties, we initially modified the stroke or breathing, until we saw a certain competitive spirit arise, which gave us great satisfaction and allowed the young athletes to achieve excellent results in competition. It was a wonderful experience and we must especially thank the families who supported us, helping us to understand the character of the young swimmers”.
The presidents of Rotary Bari, prof. Riccardo Amirante; of Rotary Bari Ovest, prof. Carmine Clemente; of Rotary Bari Sud, Dr. Marco Ligrani; of the Rotary Bari Mediterraneo, Dr. Paolo Lepore and of the Opera Pia Monte di Pietà and delle Confidenze of Molfetta, eng. Sergio de Ceglia, creators and supporters of the project. Also present were the secretary of the Rotary Club Bari, Pietro De Palma, the co-organizers of the CUS Bari, with the president Antonio Prezioso and Pasquale Triggiani and the instructors and coaches, Clara Mongelli and Chiara Morgese, the representatives of Banca Aletti, Fabrizio Costanzo and Emanuele Macina, and the young athletes protagonists of the project, who wore the t-shirt designed and created specifically for “CUSability Sport Senza Limiti”, accompanied by their parents.
To find out more: www.rotarybari.it – [email protected]
