More than 800 boys and girls between the ages of 14 and 18, in 60 teams and from all regions of Italy and 10 other nations - Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Ukraine and Hungary - gathered to give their best by competing in basketball, volleyball, five-a-side soccer, table tennis and other sports. But not only that.
The experiences in the Games program are tailor-made for young people and alternate between moments of sports and moments of educational recreation - from city tours to convivial evenings - with the “PGS Village” as a focal point for sharing and socialising. The PGS Village was hosted by “Music for Peace,” a humanitarian organisation dedicated to raising public awareness and providing concrete help to support people in need in Italy and abroad, located just a few steps away from the Genoa Lantern, a symbol of the city.
Sunday 25th was the most special day, with Mass at the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, presided over by Archbishop Marco Tasca, Archbishop of Genoa, and the opening ceremony at the Old Port in the presence of many civil and Salesian authorities, as part of the 20th Sports Festival. “It is an atmosphere of celebration, of sport, in a significant place because we are within ‘Music for Peace’ and we will instead do ‘sport for Peace’ over these days, and I like to emphasise the representation of many, many young people: sport can be a vehicle for peace, an alley of education, a vehicle for a better world,” said Fr. Francesco Preite, president of “Salesians for Social APS.”
Then off to the competitions, in the sixteen fields used within nine sports facilities, from Ponente to Levante in the city of Genoa.
“The Salesian Youth International Games are back after five years and I am really happy about this restart in a wonderful city, much appreciated by all the delegations. We had sunny days and witnessed beautiful competitions in the various facilities provided by the Organising Committee after an opening ceremony set in the heart of Genoa” said George Leibold, President of ‘PGSI International.’
“We invaded Genoa in all its facilities to allow many youngsters to play. We succeeded in our intent by grasping many appreciations from coaches and chaperones as well” added Ciro Bisogno, president of PGS Italy. “The Organising Committee was close to the boys: I am grateful to Genoa for welcoming them and to the institutions for feeling the duty and sensitivity to stand by us.”
The spirit of the event was encapsulated in a simple and topical slogan: “We Are All Stars” A universal message, an invitation, to believe in oneself, in one's own abilities, and - for adults and educators - to recognise and value the unique characteristics of each young person, in the wake of the Salesian tradition and in the footsteps of Don Bosco.
The event was realised thanks to the contribution of the Department for Sport at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and the City of Genoa, and was included in the calendar of events of “Genoa 2024 - European Capital of Sport”, recognition awarded for the year 2024 by ACES Europe, Federation of European Capitals and Cities of Sport.
