Italian Sports Minister Abodi plays Padel with Spain and backs the ‘Azzurri’: “Taranto will help drive them towards the dream of a medal”

Spain are training. On court are some of the world’s strongest players: Josè Diestro, David Gala, Pol Hernandez and Guille Collado, under the guidance of Spanish national team coach Juanjo Gutierrez. The latter signals to David Gala, who leaves the court. In his place, Italian Sports Minister Andrea Abodi steps in. Invited to exchange a few shots, he does not think twice. Jacket off, Gala’s racket in hand and clearly keen to stay on court rallying with the Spanish stars. From the sidelines, Gutierrez watches closely. “Ha jugado al tenis, se nota, ¡va genial!” (“He has played tennis, you can tell, he’s doing brilliantly”), the Spanish coach tells his players, pleasantly impressed by the ease and fluidity of the Italian sports minister. “I’m leaving the court because you have to know when it’s time to stop and the players need to train,” Abodi jokes at the end of the mini-training session with the European champions and world runners-up. “But if it had been up to me, I would have carried on, it’s far too much fun…” His remark draws more than a few smiles from those present.

The minister would later say: “That is the magic of sport, of all sports: you step onto the court and, in an instant, everything becomes wonderful. I love playing tennis, but there is no doubt that Padel is spectacular and fun.” Then came the customary photographs with the Spanish team, the favourites at the Taranto Mediterranean Games, accompanied by smiles and handshakes and demonstrating how sport is, above all, about friendship, before the commemorative photographs with the large group of volunteers. Shortly beforehand, Abodi had visited the venue, the Parco Mediterraneo della Salinella, meeting representatives of the International Padel Federation, as well as the officials, staff and technical personnel present. He expressed his appreciation for the ‘theatre of Padel’, the centre court where the final will be played, and for the beauty and practicality of the venue where the medals in the men’s, women’s and mixed draws will be awarded: “It is truly beautiful and functional,” the minister commented. He then had a message for the ‘Azzurri’: “I will have the opportunity to meet them here at the Games. I send them my warmest regards and join the people of Taranto in supporting them and driving them towards the dream of a medal.”