After the success of the first edition held in March 2024 at the “Unipol Domus” – home of Cagliari Calcio – the event dedicated to inclusion made a stop in Monza. On the morning of Saturday, June 1st, athletes from the DCPS (Divisione Calcio Paralimpico e Sperimentale) of the FIGC took to the field at the “Luigi Berlusconi – Monzello” Sports Center.
This new chapter results from the synergy between Cagliari Calcio, AC Monza, and Intesa Sanpaolo, the title partner of the competition, which, with constant commitment and tenacity, supports important values such as education, sociality, and physical and mental well-being, to overcome all barriers and distinctions.
The banking group, Main Partner of AC Monza, has, over the years, linked its name with Special Olympics Italy, #CampionidiVita, Insuperabili, art4sport, Sport Therapy, and many other key stakeholders in a common and crucial mission for the society we live in.
Competing in the spirit of healthy sports and friendship were teams from AC Monza Special, Casteddu4Special, and Insuperabili, at the second and third levels. The latter won the cup for first place in both categories (the women's team at the second level and the men's team at the third level). The Fair Play award was given to an athlete from AC Monza Special.
Adriano Galliani, Deputy Vice President and CEO of AC Monza, commented: “We are very happy to have hosted the Special Cup at the Luigi Berlusconi Sports Center – Monzello. AC Monza and Intesa Sanpaolo have shared the same ethical values since the Serie C days, and over the years, we have carried out several initiatives together with a great social impact involving the youth sector, fans, and our Monza Special kids. They have been fantastic, accompanying us with their joy to the stadium and events throughout the season. I hope that they and the competitors from Casteddu4Special and Insuperabili fully enjoyed the experience on the Center's fields.”
Stefano Melis, Business and Media Director of Cagliari Calcio, added: “It was wonderful to experience a new appointment with the Special Cup, which touched multiple stops, thus demonstrating the increased commitment from us, Intesa Sanpaolo, and all the actors involved in this project and more generally in pursuing the healthiest values of sport and inclusion at all levels. Our Club has always believed in the need to increase its contribution to empowerment and the awareness that everyone can and should have the same conditions of access to sports and various sectors of society. This is why the Special Cup and partnerships like the one with Intesa Sanpaolo are crucial.”
Pierluigi Monceri, Regional Director for Milan, Monza, and Brianza at Intesa Sanpaolo, added: “After #CampionidiVita, Intesa Sanpaolo was once again in Monza alongside inclusive sports, a great bearer of values. For supporters, the public, and colleagues who come into contact with initiatives like the Special Cup Intesa Sanpaolo through the media, social networks, and in person, it is a moment of great personal enrichment and shows that everyone can participate and maybe become great champions. We want to help spread this message by ensuring our support to the athletes who step up and those who organize and make these great events possible.”
Vincenzo Bastanza, Regional Delegate of DCPS, said: “We are at the second edition of the Special Cup Intesa Sanpaolo, and I am convinced that more will follow. Intesa Sanpaolo has shown that it has understood, embraced, and relaunched the spirit that animates the DCPS: football is for everyone, and the synergy with Cagliari Calcio is a concrete action to make football accessible to all. 'Football is for everyone' represents the foundation of the Paralympic Football Division experience, wanted by the FIGC, and today celebrated as a real success for sport, for societies, for people. The experience at the Luigi Berlusconi Sports Center in Monza was unforgettable for the athletes: a field where they can grow, a field of proud supporters. As the regional delegate of Lombardy, I thank you for this event, a great example of true inclusion, healthy competition, and authentic sport.”
Davide Leonardi from Insuperabili concluded: “We are very happy to have participated in the second edition of the Special Cup Intesa Sanpaolo, which saw the involvement of our Women's Team and CP, which also won the championship in its category this season. Together with Cagliari and Monza, we shared the entire FIGC DCPS championship, and today was a fantastic moment to meet again on the field and celebrate this beautiful season. Hosting the Tournament at Monza's Sports Center was an incredible emotion for our boys and girls who constantly dream of playing on these stages. We thank Intesa Sanpaolo and the organizers for this new beautiful and important day of football.”
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