MILAN - The 'Io tifo positivo' project now has a home, not far from the Stadio Meazza. The initiative focuses on young children and teenagers, aiming to bring out the passionate, healthy, genuine side of football, and since its beginnings in 2007 - when Inter was its sole supporter - it has expanded its horizons and allies.
The idea that Don Gino Rigoldi and his Comunità Nuova had in 2007, embraced enthusiastically by president Massimo Moratti, was to provide a constructive response to the tragic death of police inspector Filippo Raciti by organising meetings and trips to the stadium with the younger fans.
Inter has been involved in other similar projects, such as the setting up an Inter Club ('Interisti per passione') at Don Virgilio Colmegna's Casa della Carità, collaborating with the CSI (Italian Sports Centre) on educational programmes for children, and has continued to work alongside Don Gino Rigoldi, who is committed to promoting integration within the city - not only in sport but in everyday life as well. Don Gino is not afraid of a challenge and he knows how to encourage people to overcome scepticism and think positively. That's something which emerges in the 'Io tifo positivo' project, dedicated to former Gazzetta dello Sport editor Candido Cannavò.
This afternoon - on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination - team manager Ivan Cordoba will meet the pupils of a fifth-year school class to explain that football is against racism. He will be accompanied by Milan municipal councillor for sport Chiara Bisconti, Milan provincial councillor for sport, free time and youth policies Cristina Stancari and Alessandro Cannavò, representing the 'Candido Cannavò Foundation for Sport'. CONI president Giovanni Malagò will also attend the event, accompanied by CONI president for Lombardy Pierluigi Marzorati.
AC Milan will send a video message by Kevin-Prince Boateng. Meanwhile, the EU-funded Educational LABs for European Young Supporters project is thinking of exporting the 'Io tifo positivo' model onto the continent.
