San Marino is ready for the CSIT Congress

This week San Marino becomes the world capital of amateur sports. On October 16, as part of the 47th Congress of the CSIT one day later, the Republic of San Marino will host the “World Amateur Sports Forum – Small Nations, Big Impact” as opener, exploring the role of small nations in global sport. An afternoon of dialogue between institutions, experts, and international sports organizations on sustainability, inclusion, and sports tourism. An open-to-the-public event dedicated to sustainability and the value of amateur sport as a driver for community and tourism development. Sustainable models and the global value of amateur sport at the heart of international discussion.

The forum, starting at 3:00 p.m. at the Welcome Hotel in Dogana, will feature institutional representatives, experts, and key figures from the international and local sports world. Opening the proceedings will be Raimund Fabi (CSIT press officer), followed by greetings from the Ministry for Sport of the Republic of San Marino, Hon. Rossano Fabbri, and the Ministry for Tourism, Hon. Federico Pedini Amati. CSIT President Bruno Molea will deliver an opening speech on the role of amateur sports in promoting values of inclusion, cooperation, and sustainability worldwide.

San Marino as a case study
The central theme – “Small Nations, Big Impact: San Marino as a case study” – will also be illustrated by Christian Forcellini, President of the San Marino National Olympic Committee (CONS), who will share how a small nation can make a significant international impact through sport. David Bologna and Gloria Arcangeloni of San Marino Welcome will present how sporting events can become tools for territorial marketing and tangible growth opportunities for the destination, showcasing both past experiences and upcoming projects.

Strengths and weaknesses of a small nation for youth sports
The focus will then turn to young people and the social value of sport, with a joint contribution by Jasmine Verbena, San Marino artistic swimming champion, and Stefano Bernardi, San Marino grappling champion. They will address the topic “Strengths and weaknesses of a small nation for youth sports”, exploring the opportunities and challenges faced by young athletes from small nations in their sporting and personal development. Rossella Fugaro will conclude the session, presenting examples of “low-impact” events with high social and environmental value.

EU-funded projects Youth Drop-In and PlayInc4Kids
The European dimension will be explored in the final part of the forum with the presentation of results from two major EU-funded projects: Youth Drop-In, presented by Fabio Neroni (CSIT), and PlayInc4Kids, presented by Cosimo Renzi (CSIT) with the scientific contribution of Prof. Maria Cristina Matteucci from the Department of Education Sciences, University of Bologna. Both projects provide concrete insights on how sport can be an educational, inclusive, and community-building tool, aligned with European objectives of cohesion and active citizenship.

The Forum is open to the public
The World Amateur Sports Forum represents a unique opportunity to reflect on the value of non-professional sport and on the opportunities that even small nations can seize on the global stage, combining sport, tourism, sustainability, and community. The forum will conclude with a synthesis and discussion among participants, inviting continued international collaboration in view of future CSIT events. The event is open to the publicand does not require prior registration. Entry is from 2:30 p.m. at the Welcome Hotel, Strada di Fondovalle 30, Dogana (RSM).