“An extraordinary man who loved ‘coaching’ talent in young people”

Seriousness, professionalism and competence but also determination, courage and inventiveness are the principles that have guided the great journalist Pietro Calabrese – a master of the profession – throughout his extraordinary career and that have marked the paths of each of the personalities who on Wednesday, 7 June in Soriano nel Cimino – an authentic pearl in the province of Viterbo – received the coveted award, now in its 12th edition, named after the master of journalism and more.

Women and men who have collected successes and records in the world of media, culture, entertainment and sport, earning a place in the hearts of Italians and writing important pages in the history of our country. Among them, FIP president Luigi Carraro, who was awarded for the commitment with which – through the team spirit shared with the many protagonists of the federations of the FIP family – he works to spread sport and in particular padel around the world, with a particular eye on the youngest and amateur players.

Visibly emotional, the FIP number one, who received the Calabrese Award from Jacopo Volpi, director of Raisport, said: “First of all I want to remember Pietro Calabrese, who, besides being a great journalist, had the extraordinary characteristic of believing in young people and their enthusiasm. He stimulated them, he dedicated time to them and – recalled Carraro – he did the same with me. And we certainly cannot forget how he ‘coached’ a veritable team of young talents who today represent the elite of Italian journalism. Pietro Calabrese had a wonderful smile, as contagious as padel, a fun sport full of passion‘.

Jacopo Volpi then looked back at the moment of extraordinary growth of our sport: ‘We have come a long way – explained Carraro – we are a team of people full of enthusiasm and this award has enormous value, because it indicates that we are in the right direction and represents a stimulus to do better”.

Finally, a look at the future for a historic appointment: “In ten days time we will be for the first time and with great pride among the protagonists of the European Games 2023, the European Olympic Games, where medals will be up for grabs in the men’s, women’s and ‘mixed’, the latter being a truly extraordinary event. Then in mid-July,’ continued Carraro, ‘we will organise at the Foro Italico, with the FITP, the second edition of the BNL Italy Major Premier Padel, a historic and richer event because for the first time it will be a ‘combined’ tournament, with both men’s and women’s draw”.

Satisfied Antonio Agnocchetti, journalist and creator and manager of the award, for the real ‘parterre de rois’ paraded on stage for the event, hosted by Giuseppe Di Piazza of Corriere della Sera and Valentina Caruso of Sky Sport.

Awarded, among others, were producer and director Enrico Vanzina, – actress Serena Autieri, Napoli’s Scudetto-winning sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli, journalists Luca Valdiserri, Gaia Tortora, Alessandro Antinelli, Gabriella Simoni, war correspondent, and a memorial award for Giampiero Galeazzi.