Ahead of Italy’s World Cup qualifier against Albania on Friday March 24 (Stadio Renzo Barbera in Palermo, 20.45 CEST), the FIGC have confirmed their wide selection of events for the ‘Palermo Città Azzurra’ initiative. This is promoted in collaboration with the Palermo Council, as they both seek to engage with supporters of the Italian national team, reaffirming the positive values of the sport and also encouraging young people to play football.
As for some specific plans, the Palazzo delle Aquile, the Council building and the front of the Piazza Pretoria will all be illuminated by the colour blue, as they pay homage to the national team’s return to the city. Simultaneously, the Azzurri’s trophies all also be on display at the Villa Niscemi (from the 22nd to 26th March), including the four World Cups and the European Championship won by the Azzurri.
The FIGC will also present the 2017 edition of the ‘Goal Project’ in Palermo on 24th march at 12:00 CEST. The scheme was devised in 2015 by the FIGC’s Youth and Education Sector in collaboration with SPRAR (The Protection System for Asylum Seekers and Refugees) with the aim of promoting social inclusion and integration via the means of football. Prior to kick-off , Sprar Horizont will also be given their award after winning the 2016 edition.
There will also be a special match between fans of both Italy and Albania. This fair play fixture will take place just hours before the actual game at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.
The planned events are as follows:
Azzurri trophy exhibition
Date of the exhibition: From 22nd to 26th March
Location: Sala Quattro Stagioni – Villa Niscemi
The Italy team’s trophy collection will be on display at the stunning Palermo Council setting, which is adjacent to the La Favorita Park. This includes the four World Cups and the European Championship trophy.
The public opening hours are as follows:
22 March from 15.00 till 19.00
23-24 March from 09.00 till 19.00
25 March from 09:00 till 16:00
26 March from 09:00 till 14:00
Illumination of the Palazzo della Aquile and of the Piazza Pretoria
Date: 22 – 24 March
In coincidence with the game against Albania, the Palermo Council headquarters and the celebrated Piazza will both be illuminated by the colour blue, as they pay respect to the Italian national team.
Educational meeting with the coaches of the National youth set-up
Date: 23rd March – ore 18:00
Location : Sala delle Carrozze in the Villa Niscemi
Organised by the Youth and Education Sector of the FIGC, there will be an event with both the Elite Football Schools and also the professional clubs of Sicily. They will discuss the new plans for youth football, making particular reference to the Local Football Centres and the style of play in youth football for next season. The meeting’s attendees will include President of the Youth Sector and Education, Vito Tisci, Secretary of the Youth Sector and Education, Vito Di Gioia and National Coach of the Local Footballing Centres, Maurizio Marchesini.
Educational seminar in collaboration with the Order of Journalists-USSI
Date: 24 March – 09:30
Location: Sala delle Carrozze – Villa Niscemi
An educational seminar entitled ‘The Media and National Football’, organised by the FIGC, the Sicily Regional Council and the Order of Journalists in collaboration with the Palermo Council and USSI Sicily, on the theme of sporting communication. The role of the media in promoting the various national teams will be a key topic, using social media as an example. They will also analyse the organisation of the Under-21 European Championship that Italy will host in 2019. The event is reserved for journalists signed up to the Order.
Press conference to present the ‘Goal Project’
Date: 24th March – 12:00
Location: Sala delle Carrozze – Villa Niscemi (TBC)
This will be a press conference to present the 2017 edition of the ‘Goal Project’, an initiative promoted and developed by the FIGC’s Youth and Education Sector in collaboration with the SPRAR (The Protection System for Asylum Seekers and Refugees), with the aim of promoting social inclusion and integration via the means of football.
Fan Match Italy-Albania
Date: 24th March – 15.00
Location: Local Footballing Centre in Palermo c/o CUS Palermo
A special match which will take place prior to Italy vs. Albania and played at the Local Footballing Centre in Palermo. Fans of both Italy and Albania will take to the field in a game dedicated to fair play.
Regional activity for the Goal Project!
Date: 24th March – 16.00
Location: Local Footballing Centre in Palermo c/o CUS Palermo
A tournament concerning Sicily’s Sprar who were involved in the 2017 version of the Goal Project. Around 140 kids will take part, as they are all linked to nine Sicilian centres involved in the project: Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, Caltanissetta, Mazzarino, Vizzini, Milazzo, Canicattini Bagni, Trapani, Sciacca, Cammarata, Caltagirone. They will take part in technical activities before then playing in a 7v7 tournament.
Awarding the winner of the 2016 Goal Project
Date: 24 March – Pre-match
Location: Stadio Renzo Barbera
Prior to Italy vs. Albania, the representatives of Sprar Horizont in Caltagiron will be crowned winners of the 2016 Goal Project.
Source: figc.it