Sport is a great tool for inclusion and social cohesion that can make a big difference in improving the quality of life of disabled people and their families. For this reason, the Rotary Clubs of the city of Bari, the Aldo Moro University, the Opera Pia Monte di Pietà and the Confidenze of Molfetta and the University Sports Center of Bari have decided to give life to “Sport without limits: a dive into sporting fun for all”.

The project is aimed at students, up to 20 years old, with sensory, motor and mental-related disabilities, at developmental and university age. Students will be introduced to the project, free of charge, through contact with specific clubs and through mass media and social channels.

The selection of candidates will be completed at the end of August, the sports activities will start soon after. The project will be exhaustively completed in a year of Rotary activity. However, the content and objectives will be the subject of the strategic plans of the Groups involved to ensure continuity, reinforcement and sustainability.

“We believe in a more inclusive present, in which small changes – explains the assistant governor of Rotary District 2120, Chief Paolo Piccinno – can make a big difference. With this collaboration we want to promote socio-sports integration and promote a culture that by integrating diversity leads to a greater knowledge of ourselves and the other world, working for peace and mental well-being. Sports, therefore, will not be understood only as a physical practice, but as an existential value to man, as an experience of personal development”.

The project also includes popular social inclusion events open to all citizens.

“We are very happy to have participated in this project which for Uniba – adds the representative of the Chancellor of the University of Bari Aldo Moro for disability issues and DSA, Prof. Gabrielle Coppola – represents a natural continuation of the activities we have been cultivating for some time regarding the positive role that sport has in promoting the well-being of people with disabilities, but not only. ​​Our role will be twofold: on the one hand, we will carry out the scientific monitoring of the effectiveness of this program with a series of evaluations, meetings with the young people and their families, on the other hand, we will introduce the young athletes to competitive activities and provide psychological support to the families and athletes on their journey.

The lessons will take place in the swimming pool of CUS Bari and will be conducted by specialist instructors registered with: Italian Paralympic Swimming Federation (FINP) – Italian Paralympic Sports Federation of Relational Intellectuals (FISDIR) – Italian Swimming Federation (FIN).

“Our Center is increasingly concerned with bringing people with disabilities closer to sports, accompanying them – emphasizes the President of Cus Bari, Dr. Antonio Prezioso – on their sporting journey. Already last year we introduced 40 young people to sports, being aware of the physical and mental benefits, but mainly of the positive values ​​that the children will transmit with the scientific staff of sports. support that will allow the implementation of the project in the best possible way”.

The presentation of the project and the signing of the agreement took place in Room 3 of the CUS. Speakers: Prof. Gabrielle Coppola (UniBa), arch. Paolo Piccinno (Rotary District 2120), dr. Antonio Prezioso (CUS Bari), Prof. Riccardo Amirante (president of the Rotary Club Bari), Prof. Carmine Clemente (president of the Rotary Club Bari Ovest), dr. Marco Ligrani (president of the Bari Sud Rotary Club), dr. Vincenzo d’Ambrosio Lettieri (president of the Rotary Club Bari Castello), dr. Paolo Lepore (president of the Rotary Club Bari Mediterraneo), eng. Sergio De Ceglia (president of Opera Pia Monte di Pietà and Confidences of Molfetta).