Argentinean padel champion visits Vatican

By Giampaolo Mattei

Argentinean Fernando Belasteguín, considered the greatest padel player of all time, was welcomed to the Vatican on Sunday morning by Vatican Athletics as part of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. The World Day was established by the United Nations.

Belasteguín - together with his wife and three children - first met with the community of the "Santa Marta" Pediatric Clinic, which assists poor families with young children.

Welcoming him were the director of the clinic, Sister Anna Luisa Rizzello, and the vice president of Vatican Athletics, Valentina Giacometti who noted the visit was particularly significant as  "Yesterday marked the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.”

“We all know how practising a sport can educate society to be open, supportive, and without prejudice. But for this to happen, we need leaders and coaches who aim not only for victory or profit. Let's promote a sport that fosters social friendship and fraternity," she said.

Belasteguín, who ranked number 1 in the world for 16 consecutive years, said: "The official presence of the Vatican Federation in the world of padel is important because it emphasizes fundamental values such as solidarity and inclusion through sport, and, above all, through a popular discipline like padel."

In particular, he encouraged "efforts to involve girls and boys with disabilities and the most vulnerable people" and made himself available for upcoming initiatives.

Just last Friday, April 5th, Vatican Athletics organized inclusive padel matches, involving young people with autism and Down syndrome, along with their families.

The Argentinean champion also visited the Vatican Gardens and St. Peter's Basilica accompanied by the director of Vatican Padel, Alessandra Turco, along with the deputy director Barbara Carusi and the secretary general Fabrizio Peloni.