Italian Ambassador Bartoli Aims to Enhance Relations with India Through Football
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New Delhi, Dec 14 (NationPress) Italian Ambassador Antonio Bartoli perceives sports as an influential instrument for nurturing global friendships. Bartoli emphasizes that grassroots initiatives can motivate a fresh generation of football talent while reinforcing cultural connections. In an exclusive dialogue with IANS, Bartoli shared Italy’s ambitions to launch football coaching programs for underprivileged youth in India, recognizing the nation's passion for the sport.
“Absolutely! I genuinely believe in sports diplomacy because our mission is to create connections, and I consider sport a remarkable catalyst for friendship. Sadly, our interests diverge since cricket doesn't have much popularity in Italy. However, given that you are a vast continent, particularly in certain regions of your expansive country, there are numerous football enthusiasts, which is what we aim to tap into.
“The concept we are working on, which I have just begun to develop, is to have coaches for youth teams. For instance, we can start with Italian clubs sending their coaches to train children, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds, at summer camps, followed by organizing a tournament. This would provide a marvelous experience for these children and potentially uncover new talent. Notably, Italian footballers, especially Alessandro Del Piero, have visited India to play, and we could involve them as special guests to kick-start this initiative,” Antonio explained to IANS in an exclusive interview.
The two nations have met on the pitch only once, with India suffering a 0-1 defeat against Italy-B during the 1982 Nehru Cup Group Stage. There has also been a scarcity of Italian players in the Indian Super League, with only three participating—Alessandro Del Piero, Marco Materazzi, and Alessandro Nesta—all legends from the 2006 FIFA World Cup-winning squad who have graced the league.
In recent times, football clubs worldwide have recognized the potential of the Indian market due to its large population and fervent football fandom. Clubs from La Liga, such as Sevilla, have partnered with I-League 2 team FC Bengaluru United, while Atletico Madrid has collaborated with ISL side Atletico De Kolkata, now known as Mohun Bagan Super Giant, and has also partnered with I-League team Inter Kashi.
Alongside the strong Spanish influence, English football has also played a role in Indian football development through various initiatives. Manchester City has made multiple trips to India for a trophy tour, while Manchester United’s United We Play initiative aims to nurture the sport at the grassroots level. The Premier League Next Gen Cup 2024 marked a historic moment as Punjab FC became the first Indian team to defeat youth squads from the Premier League, triumphing over Everton and Aston Villa youth teams.
