MILAN – Inter's academy footballers starred in the International Day of Football and Friendship held today at the Centro Sportivo Giacinto Facchetti.
It was the first event of Gazprom Football for Friendship 2016, which next month will bring together young footballers from 32 countries to challenge each other in the days leading up to the Champions League final at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milan.
Among those watching on was former Inter defender Nazzareno Canuti, who observed the training session led by academy coach Marco Sala.
The Nerazzurri youngsters exchanged friendship bracelets before the action got under way: a gesture that characterised the day in all 32 participating countries and symbolises the values the tournament wishes to promote, such as tolerance, equality and a healthy lifestyle.
"It's an honour, a joy and a responsibility to be a part of this tournament," declared the Giovanissimi Regionali B captain Luca Prinelli alongside Laura Congiunti from Inter Ladies' Esordiente, who also assumed the role of official journalist for the event.
"Together with our team-mates, we're getting ready to meet young players from all over the world under the banner of the values that set this tournament apart."
F.C. Internazionale has been chosen to represent Italy in Football for Friendship 2016 as a club that corresponds to the tournament's values. Evidence of this is shown by Inter's constant and highly professional support work in a variety of social contexts.
The principles of the tournament are reflected in the Nerazzurri youth academy's ethical code: "It is the club's objective to build a youth academy that combines the coaching needs of a top football club with education, growth and social maturity among its youngest players. In particular, the club wishes to promote positive values in youth sport, aware that showing a good example to youngsters is the best way of teaching them mutual respect."
