The situation in Sebastia and Palestine
It is there that Sebastia stands, an ancient village of just over three thousand inhabitants. In this small patch of land, children and teenagers grow up within a reality marked by a progressive crisis that has been dragging on for decades. The presence of the separation wall, the expansion of Israeli settlements, and harsh restrictions on freedom of movement fragment daily life, isolating entire communities. Since the outbreak of the war in Gaza in 2023, the situation in the West Bank has dramatically worsened, with constant raids, detentions, and closed checkpoints making even small daily movements an ordeal filled with anxiety and insecurity. In this context of isolation, finding safe spaces for socializing or having the opportunity to travel abroad is an unimaginable privilege.
Many of the ten Palestinian youths who arrived in Italy had never been able to cross the borders of their homeland before now. Some had never seen the sea. For them, the Sebastia football school is not just a recreational activity, but an indispensable educational sanctuary: a safe and structured place to learn teamwork, counter loneliness, and, above all, continue opening up to the future with hope.
Youth Without Borders: on the pitch
Today, thanks to the international mobility initiative promoted by Attendiamoci ODV ETS and Pro Terra Sancta — set within the framework of "Summer Holy Land 2026 – One Bridge, Three Stories" — these young people were finally able to experience something new. Accompanied by two educators, the young athletes flew to Reggio Calabria for a two-week stay destined to remain etched in their lives.
The welcome on the shores of the Strait immediately felt like a warm embrace, aimed at giving the youth a space of pure serenity, lightheartedness, and freedom. The days in Calabria are unfolding through a continuous flow of sports activities, training moments, and shared growth opportunities. The sea offered the first, unforgettable taste of summer lightness: between refreshing dives and improvised beach soccer matches on the sand, the young guests were able to rediscover the beauty of their age. Meanwhile, the local community rallied around them, delivering a personalized kit to each participant complete with backpacks, shoes, uniforms, balls, water bottles, and other items.
On the pitch, preparation is getting intense and exciting. Under the valuable technical guidance of coach Roberto Breda, an Italian manager and former player, and with the support of Professor Gianni Saffioti, a veteran athletic trainer, the youth are tackling daily training sessions focused on movement, physical care, and tactical analysis of game plays. This technical experience teaches them that sport is primarily discipline, listening, responsibility, and mutual trust.
Inspiring them along this journey were prominent figures from professional football: legends and former Reggina players such as Maurizio Cacozza, Simone Giacchetta, Antonino Barillà, Karim Laribi, and Daniel Adejo spoke at length with the young players, sharing valuable testimonials on the worth of sacrifice, belonging, and the importance of knowing how to pick oneself up after every defeat, on and off the pitch.
Discovering Reggio: culture, tradition, and cuisine!
Youth Without Borders is above all a journey to discover the other and the local culture. The youth visited symbolic places of sports in Reggio, including the PalaCalafiore, the Oasi Club Village, and the historic Tennis Club "Rocco Polimeni", accompanied by veteran executives and local authorities like Mimmo Praticò. They also walked through history, admiring the beauty of the Riace Bronzes at the National Archaeological Museum, warmly welcomed by director Fabrizio Sudano.
However, the most intimate dimension of this meeting takes place around the table. After learning how to make Italian pizza alongside young Calabrian volunteers, the youth of Sebastia took over the kitchen to cook traditional dishes from their homeland. This dinner transformed into a moment of authentic sharing, where flavors, life stories, and traditions blended into a single narrative, proving once again that mutual understanding tears down any cultural barrier.
And as excitement builds for the highly anticipated "Match of the Heart" against a local youth team, one certainty has already been written on the field: the bridge of hope and peace built between Sebastia and Reggio Calabria is now solid and indestructible.
