Last November 5th in Piazza Don Pino Puglisi (Piazza Barcellona for the people of Catania), the 1st Memorial “Manuel Puglisi” took place, a promise of Sicilian football who passed away prematurely on 20 September 2023 due to an independent accident with his motorbike. Some amateur football clubs from the Catania scene participated in the Memorial, organized by Manuel’s parents, in collaboration with the Aifvs (Italian Association of Road Traffic Victims) and with the patronage of the municipality of Catania, bringing together more than 70 young footballers among the 8 and 10 years, and many parents who, together with their friends, remembered Manuel.
“Let’s kick indifference” was the slogan of the tournament, a message aimed at breaking down the social and cultural differences that hinder global integration for the young people of this city, and with this message the Puglisi couple addressed the young athletes, underlining how school attendance and belonging to a sports group are useful and educational in overcoming these differences and facilitating the spirit of aggregation and socialization among young people. Still remembering how Manuel, at their age, cultivated the dream of playing professional football. A joyful afternoon in which the smiling faces of the kids who participated in the football matches prevailed.
