The inauguration of a new sports centre in Beirut took place yesterday as part of the "Sport for Peace" project.The Milan Foundation along with Franco Baresi were present and there to “kick-off” proceedings. For the children in particular, of the ages 6-17, it was a special occasion and they will now have the chance to take advantage of this important initiative for Lebanese and Syrian children.Every week, Lebanon receives over 10.000 refugees. Here is the video created by Sky Sports for the “Sport for Peace” project. 

(IN THE PHOTO: Franco Baresi inaugurates the Bteknay sports centre in Lebanon)
BEIRUT – The Btekhnay Sports Centre was inaugurated today. It was restored the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Rossoneri legend Franco Baresi and Rocco Giorgianni, General Secretary of the Milan Foundation were present. A fundamental objective of "Sports for Peace", the project started in March this year, has finally been reached, which has involved around 1,450 Syrians and Lebanese boys and girls aged 6 to 17 years.
Well aware of the inestimable value of sport, Milan Foundation has decided to support "Sports For Peace" by funding the renovation of the Btekhnay sports center, an indoor centre, where boys and girls, even those disabled, can practice sport safely. In addition to the Btekhnay centre, two other structures in the area around Tripoli will be completed. The project also includes training for 45 coaches, with a focus on the importance of providing protection to refugees and children on gender equality and the organization of sporting events and sports days to promote social integration among young Syrians and Lebanese, such as the football tournament scheduled for December 10 at the Btekhnay Sports Center , which will involve about 90 boys; or that on 11 December, at the Brotherhood Football Ground, in which over 250 children will compete on the pitch at Abu Samra near Tripoli.
The inauguration of the centre, the training of coaches and the two tournaments are an important stage of cooperation between UNHCR and the Milan Foundation. In the spring of 2015 there is in the planning a second significant moment that will see the participation of President Barbara Berlusconi.
Now in its fourth year, the conflict in Syria, with its burden of violence and insecurity, continues to force people to flee the country in search of protection in neighbouring countries. Lebanon, a country of 4 million inhabitants, has shown a tremendous solidarity with the Syrians forced to leave their homes. In practice, 1 in 4 people living in Lebanon are refugees. To date, Lebanon is the country that has welcomed more Syrian refugees in the region. There are about 1.1 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon. More than half are children.
According to the UNHCR report on the protection of children, more than half of Syrian refugee children do not attend school and are often forced to work. The report also reveals that 3 out of 10 children leave home only once a week or less - a clear sign of the psychological wounds and traumas caused by the conflict and exile.
"We are honored to support Milan Foundation that has given so much to this important project that aims to promote, through the values of sport, overcoming the trauma of fleeing and social cohesion between communities,” said Federico Clementi responsible for fundraising at UNHCR. “Sport is an important vehicle to promote these core values and is an essential tool for building a culture of peace. This is why we hope that the collaboration with Milan Foundation can continue in the coming years."
The initiative aims to support Syrian refugee children and young people psychologically on their way to overcoming the traumatic consequences related to their status as refugees, so that they can interact better with the Lebanese community.

How do you teach respect for all styles?"I think everyone has their own style that should be respected, both from the human point of view and from the point of view of aesthetics. Since our childhood we build an image and it is good to pursue it as you grow. Respecting others also means accepting their image and their identity. "What do you do to create your style, especially at an aesthetic level?"I'm very careful with my image. I try to maintain my style, I like my hair tied back and love to be without a beard, so I rarely have one. Then, of course, I look at my wife and I try to learn from her … :)"

Only a handful of days after the derby, Milan and Inter were reunited as part of the important project "Shave your Style - #rispettailmiostile", launched by the Milan Foundation and in collaboration with Braun a few weeks ago. The project aims to play its part socially by promoting respect and the latest initiative is aimed at helping adolescents, who often have difficulties developing self-confidence and creating inter-personal relationships.And for the occasion, Milan’s legendary captain Paolo Maldini and Inter’s Vice-President and likewise legendary captain Javier Zanetti, met with 450 school-kids from secondary schools in Milan to talk about their experiences of respect, but also their experiences of leadership and their style. Fair Play is also a running theme of the project.The participation of the 2 football greats will no doubt prove to be an invaluable experience for these school-kids who growing up, and in particular during their teens, will encounter testing moments.Opponents respect each other out on the pitch and Maldini and Zanetti are testimony to this. Every footballer, regardless of the side he or she plays for, puts his personal style to the test, technical and personal. Every different style forms the team and helps contribute to the overall success. In football, just like in life, the outcome can be a success or a defeat.The objective is to ensure the school-kids understand the message loud and clear: to be a leader you need your own style, but above all you must respect the style of others, without ever falling into the trap of bullying, a theme which is unfortunately far too present nowadays in the news.

Eight teams competed in a knock-out tennis tournament. The aim of the event was to bring together football stars and raise funds for projects organised by the Milan Foundation. In particular, part of the funds raised will go towards a project called “SPORT ED INCLUSIONE SOCIALE” (Sport and social inclusion). This social project will be carried out across five areas on the outskirts of Milan that are at risk and, through the use of sport, aims to help teenagers and youths in difficulty. The project will accompany and support them in a journey that will help them with social interaction and create strong relationships through sport and activities that are linked to their passions and interests.
Amongst the participants at the tournament were: Paolo Maldini, Dario Simic, Maurizio Ganz, Fabio Grosso, Enrico Annoni, Massimo Oddo, Bernardo Corradi, Massimo Taibi, Stefano Fiore, Dario Marcolin, Nicola Amoruso, Giuliano Giannicchedda, Alessio Tacchinardi, Cristiano Zenoni, Mario Ielpo, Simone Barone, Alessandro Melli, Massimiliano Vieri, Marco Rigoni. The aforementioned will be put into the following teams: Levissima, MCS, Bayer, NiveaMen, Redwood, Studio Tributario Internazionale, Studio Agostinelli and Sartoria Luca/Paolo Rossi. 
Standings 1: Luca Paolorossi
Standings 2: Studio tributario Internazionale
A special thanks goes to the Aspria Harbour Club, Head, Boscolo Hotel, Smeg and Diagramma who through their support have made the event possible.