The Turismo delle Radici project and the launch of the Trofeo CONI 2026 celebrated, Buonfiglio: “Sport can make the world a better place”
An event organised by CONI in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) was held at Piazzale della Farnesina to celebrate the conclusion of the first phase of the Turismo delle Radici project and the launch of the Trofeo CONI 2026.
The protagonists were the delegations of under-14 athletes from the Italian Communities Abroad in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, the United States, Switzerland and Venezuela, accompanied by coaches, CONI CIE Delegates and more than one hundred Mayors of the Comuni delle Radici, offering concrete testimony to their participation in the entire project linked to sporting activity, in particular through the on-field organisation of the CONI Fair Play Games, multidisciplinary sporting activities inspired by the IOC’s Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP). Also in attendance were Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani, Minister of Tourism Gianmarco Mazzi, CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio, Italian Swimming Federation President Paolo Barelli, Settebello head coach Sandro Campagna and former cycling star Vincenzo Nibali.
Turismo delle Radici is the initiative promoted by MAECI and funded under the NRRP to strengthen the bond with more than 80 million Italians and people of Italian descent around the world and to enhance Italy’s small municipalities and villages, an initiative that enabled girls and boys to take part in both the summer and winter editions of the Trofeo CONI.
After the parade and the performance by the musical groups that won the 2026 competition for the promotion of popular and amateur music, the young athletes completed a CONI Fair Play Games course and were presented with plaques as ‘Young Ambassadors of Sports Diplomacy’. This was followed by a culinary demonstration by Michelin-starred chef Alessandro Circiello and a tasting session as part of the launch of Italian Pasta Day in the World, the screening of the video story of the Trofeo CONI and the Viaggi delle Radici, the performance of the Italian national anthem, Il Canto degli Italiani, by the Band of the Carabinieri, and the institutional speeches.
The first to speak was Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani: “We are celebrating Turismo delle Radici and launching phase two of the project. We are delighted to let these young people feel the call of Italy, to enable them to speak Italian, and to discover where their grandparents or parents set out from before going to live abroad. It is a way of being part of the great Italian community. Sport is a tool for unity: there are many athletes, just as there are many actors, of Italian origin around the world. Italy has ‘sent’ many important figures around the globe. And there are many young people who deserve to feel at home in Italy. Turismo delle Radici is an extraordinary opportunity for Italy. The aim of the project is to help people rediscover parts of Italy that are not normally known. I wanted the project to be targeted at smaller municipalities. Italy’s major cities do not need extensive promotion, while few people know just how beautiful the Italy of villages and small municipalities is. This is also why we wanted the Giro d’Italia to become an ambassador for Italy around the world. These places preserve the memories of our migrants, the languages and dialects of those who left many years ago but remain strongly attached to Italy. We wanted to involve the mayors directly because it is right to give them recognition, including moral recognition, for what they do. The results are extraordinary and we are aware that we can do even more”.
“Turismo delle Radici is something unique that is handed down through time and space,” added Minister of Tourism Gianmarco Mazzi. “It is an issue to which we want to give particular attention. We know that many Italians have left the country over the years to go abroad. As the data show, Turismo delle Radici represents a fast-growing segment within the global tourism sector. With figures of between 60 and 80 million people, Turismo delle Radici is a strategic lever for development. There are many positive aspects that have an impact on local areas”.
CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio closed the event: “Once again, Minister Tajani has involved sport and focused attention on sport and its values. His speech highlights the pride of being Italian and of what we are doing. When we do our duty, when we are successful protagonists, we generate enthusiasm. Sport is playing a leading role. We are winning everywhere. Today, even Ferrari returned to success: Italian industry excelling. The Minister gives us attention, and we take on responsibility: sport has great value in making the world a better place. Our task is difficult, but Italian style and method are becoming a style and method to be emulated. But we must improve further”.
Turismo delle Radici e Trofeo CONI celebrati alla Farnesina
