From 6 to 12 April, to mark the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace 2026, the Centro Sportivo Italiano (CSI) of Reggio Calabria, with the support of institutions and local communities, organised WHITECARDinSPORT26 – In play: peace, social inclusion and community: seven days of events, tournaments and workshops. The initiative engaged over 300 young people in a large educational effort to say no to hate and discrimination.
Among the partners of the initiative were the Associazione Linguaggi Sociali, the Office of the Ombudsperson for Children and Adolescents of the Metropolitan City, and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute. The event was held under the patronage of the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria and CONI Calabria, with media support from Reggio a Canestro.
Seven events across the territory placed young people and social regeneration at the centre.
A community in motion: key figures
• 8 institutions involved
• 13 participating associations
• 26 instructors, educators and volunteers engaged
• 300+ young participants in workshops
WHITECARDinSPORT26 featured a wide range of initiatives, including:
Colorball26! Training in colours: promoting human rights and integration. A workshop designed to foster new friendships and connections among young people from diverse communities in Reggio Calabria through team values.
What a match, guys! Burning prejudice and discrimination: young participants and athletes from Polisportiva Arghillà a Colori symbolically burned words and symbols associated with hate speech.
Gym of rights! Sports spaces as educational hubs: sports clubs shared their experiences with minors and adults in rehabilitation programmes, as well as volunteers and practitioners.
Children’s Games for Peace!: youth sports organisations in Reggio Calabria came together to promote the values of peace and friendship.
Sport is medicine!: an engaging match between Arghillà a Colori and the CSI 2025 National Futsal Finalists, Rin Tin Team. The pre-match session, led by Doctors of the World, included a workshop on health and well-being for vulnerable communities.
Hoops for peace!: an event dedicated to youth basketball.
What a team in San Luca!: kick-off of the Oratorio Junior Cup, with community matches concluding the week of activities.
Sport can contribute to meaningful change by strengthening social bonds and breaking down barriers. “Sport does not educate by itself—this is our firm belief,” said Paolo Cicciù, Provincial President of CSI Reggio Calabria. “For years, together with a strong local network, we have worked consistently in the territory, placing rights and inclusion at the centre of all initiatives. Sport is a powerful driver of sustainable development and a key element for the empowerment of young people and the well-being of our communities.”
The strong participation in WHITECARDinSPORT26 demonstrates the capacity of a community to generate concrete opportunities for dialogue, growth and inclusion. In a complex period marked by widespread uncertainty and social concerns, this initiative represents a meaningful countertrend—placing young people and their role in building more cohesive and aware communities back at the centre. Through sport, young people become agents of change within their communities.
