Football legend Arrigo Sacchi in Belgrade

Banca Intesa and Generali Osiguranje Srbija support Italian football camp for children once again

Banca Intesa, a member of international banking group Intesa Sanpaolo, and Generali Osiguranje Srbija, part of Generali group, are supporting the eighth Italian football camp for children, which World Camp Srl is organizing from June 26 to 30 at the football fields of the FK Voždovac stadium in Belgrade. During the camp, boys and girls between the ages of 7 and 14 will have the opportunity to master the secrets of football through technical, tactical and fitness training, working with prominent Italian coaches. In this way, the two companies are extending regional cooperation even beyond the financial and insurance field where they provide high-end services in bancassurance, to promote positive values of sports among young population.

This year, the Italian football camp is held in memory of famous football player Paolo Rossi as well as legend of the Serbian and Yugoslav football Siniša Mihajlović. In this respect, Banca Intesa and Generali Osiguranje Srbija will also support the organization of an exhibition dedicated to these two football greats and provide a unique opportunity for all fans to see more than items that have marked their extraordinary professional successes and careers. The exhibition, supported by the Embassy of the Republic of Italy in Serbia, the Italian Cultural Institute, the FIFA Museum and Arena Sport television, will be held at the Museum of Applied Arts in Belgrade from July 5 to 30.

“With the 2023 edition of the Soccer Camp, we renovate an initiative that Intesa Sanpaolo’s International Subsidiary Banks Division kept on promoting in several countries and which contributes to our commitment to each of them”, said Marco Elio Rottigni, Chief of International Subsidiary Banks Divison. “In Serbia, thanks to the support of our local subsidiary Banca Intesa Beograd, around 2000 children have had the chance to share the experience of the Soccer Camps over the years, learning the values loyal competition, commitment, and those of being part of a team that are typical of sports activities. As a large bank deeply rooted in the country, and part of one of the largest and soundest European financial groups, our endeavor will primarily be to support the Economy on topics at the top of the agenda, such as we did with the changeover to the single currency, but at the same time we’ll keep a steady attention to the society as a whole, with undertakings that have special attention to its weakest components”.

“With its renewed participation in the Soccer Camp in Belgrade, the Generali Group continues its tradition and commitment to support initiatives that promote the positive values of sports among the local young population,” said Manlio Lostuzzi, Regional Officer of Generali Central Eastern Europe region. “At Generali, we act as a force for good in building a more resilient and just society, therefore as responsible citizen, we are proud to strengthen the bond with local communities unlocking the youth potential and support disadvantaged children. In addition, we are delighted to reinforce our existing partnership with Intesa Sanpaolo Group in Serbia as well as our market position. Our strategic goal is to become Lifetime partner of our customers offering tailor-made solutions and we are proud to be offering also to Intesa customer’s flexible solutions to meet their evolving life-cycle needs and further protect individuals, families and companies”.

“For the past eight years, Banca Intesa, a member of the Intesa Sanpaolo group, has been supporting the organization of the Italian football camp. Acting as a bridge between two economies, people and cultures, we have been striving to contribute to the affirmation of talented young people, the promotion of the positive values of sports, and the spread of the culture of inclusion and diversity. At the same time, by supporting exhibition in memory of Paolo Rossi and Siniša Mihajlović, we strive to provide an opportunity for all sport fans in our country to become even more familiar with the life and career paths of these two extraordinary players, their the legacy and indelible mark they left on the history of world football”, stated Darko Popović, CEO and the President of the Executive Board of Banca Intesa.

“By participating in the Football Camp, Generali Osiguranje Srbija continues the tradition of dedicated support to the local community and initiatives that promote a culture of solidarity and inclusion.” Sustainable business is one of the pillars of our strategy, which allows us to, in addition to our role in the market as a responsible investor, insurer and employer, as a responsible citizen engage in solving important social issues, improve living conditions and leave a better world for generations to come,” said Dragan Filipović, President of Generali Osiguranje Srbija Executive Board. “We are proud that through this initiative we are strengthening the connection we have with the local community through our program The Human Safety Net with the desire to help parents unlock the full potential of their children and provide them with a better future.” Through sports, children learn commitment, teamwork and develop various skills needed for future responsible citizens. That is why I want to thank Arrigo Sacchi for his participation in this important event and his willingness to pass on his many years of experience to the younger generations. We are especially glad that this year we will enable the public to get to know the beauty of playing sports through an exhibition dedicated to football legends Paolo Rossi and Siniša Mihajlović. We are proud of our partnership with Banca Intesa and the fact that with our combined efforts we continue to carry out activities that have a positive impact on society, and enable our clients to protect themselves from various risks through insurance products and services.”

Marco Schembri, head of World Camp International Srl, the organizer of the football camp, added: „I would like to thank Banca Intesa Belgrade and Generali Osiguranje Srbija for making it possible once again for young Serbian footballers to develop their talents while enjoying unforgettable experiences”.

“It´s a pleasure to be in Serbia to launch this event which gives talented children a chance to be awarded and maybe discovered as future Serbian champions,” said Arrigo Sacchi, the official testimonial of the project and legendary Italian football coach and manager who managed Parma, AC Milan, Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and the Italian National Team.

Three most talented participants of the camp, together with boys and girls from other countries, will attend the Day of the Italian Football Camp, a three-day sports event to be held on the grounds of the Coverciano academy. During the visit to Italy, the children will have the opportunity to develop their football skills at training sessions, matches and special courses, to visit the Italian Football Museum, as well as to attend a Serie A match.

The promoter of this year’s camp, Arrigo Sacchi, is an Italian former professional football coach, often said to have revolutionizes football with his tactical innovations. He has twice managed AC Milan, won the Serie A title in his 1987–88 debut season, and then dominated European football by winning back-to-back European Cup in 1989 and 1990. From 1991 to 1996, he was head coach of the Italian national team and led them to the 1994 FIFA World Cup Final.

Darko Popović

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