Intesa Sanpaolo and ALEXBANK support underprivileged children through hosting the Atalanta Football Boot Camp in Egypt.

Cairo, Egypt- XXX: Intesa Sanpaolo and its Egyptian subsidiary, ALEXBANK announced the conclusion of the inaugural three-day Atalanta Boot Camp in Egypt, which hosted 120 underprivileged boys and girls between the age of 8 and 12, that went through football skills training and a competitive mini-tournament. 

Organized with the Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio (B.C.) football team, one of the strongest Serie A teams for the first time in Egypt, the camp was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Social Solidarity and in partnership with Sawiris Foundation for Social Development (SFSD), and ORA Developers Egypt. The primary objective of this initiative is to promote social inclusion and foster underprivileged children’s skills through sports, while bringing them moments of joy.

The closing ceremony took place on October 7th in the presence of H.E Mrs. Nevine El Kabbag, Minister of Social Solidary, Mr. Dante Campioni, CEO and Managing Director of ALEXBANK, and Eng. Noura Selim, Executive Director of SFSD

This initiative was announced by Alexbank during a press conference hosted last September at Atalanta’s GEWISS Stadium in Bergamo, Italy. The press conference was held with senior representatives from ALEXBANK, the Intesa Sanpaolo Group International Subsidiary Division, Atalanta B.C., Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, and key partners to unveil this exciting endeavor, setting the stage for a groundbreaking opportunity to empower youth and create lasting impact.
The Atalanta Football Boot Camp, held from October 5th to October 7th at the ORA ZED East Club in New Cairo, offered edutainment experience and a comprehensive football training provided by the skilled Atalanta’s trainers and coaches, expression of one of the most recognized football academies in Italy, from which many Italian champions emerged and keep emerging. 
To enlarge the children participation, prior to the boot camp, during August & September, a local league was kicked off in partnership with the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development. Out of 350 participants, 120 children were selected to attend the three-days Boot Camp, where they could compete in various skill drills, demonstrating their passion for sports and their football potentials. 
H.E Dr. Nevine El-Kabbag, the Minister of Social Solidarity, highlighted the utmost importance of prioritizing children in Egypt. The government is deeply committed to catering to the needs of children and ensuring the provision of essential services to them. Moreover, The Ministry of Social Solidarity envisions building a harmonious society that upholds social justice, fosters economic development, and guarantees a decent life for families and individuals, guided by principles of fairness, honesty, and inclusivity.

Dr. El-Kabbag praised “Stars of Tomorrow” initiative that entails Atalanta Football Camp, and emphasized the significance of such initiatives and their positive impact on children. Additionally, she reaffirmed the ministry's dedication to offering comprehensive care and empowerment opportunities for underserved children, without any form of discrimination
. She concluded that the ministry aims to forge partnerships with both civil society organizations and private sectors; fostering collaborative efforts for social development and progress.

Mr. Dante Campioni, Managing Director and CEO of ALEXBANK, stated, “This initiative is a testament to our unwavering commitment to the good of our community, in particular to the attention we pay to its most vulnerable members. Our dedication to gender parity and inclusion is at the core of these initiatives of ours, made possible thanks to the support of our local strategic partners, and in this specific case also by the generosity of Atalanta B.C. This initiative represents a collective determination to bring joy in the lives of these children that we feel as deserving partners of our community, always addressed as a core beneficiary of our ESG strategy, that is built around the strong values embedded in ALEXBANK and the Intesa Sanpaolo Group. " 

“It was a pleasure and an honour for Atalanta to join forces with Intesa Sanpaolo to supervise and coordinate on site the Football Camps that took place in Egypt after the previous editions held in Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina - said Stefano Bonaccorso, Head of Grassroots Football at Atalanta BC -. Our partnership with Intesa Sanpaolo is strengthened and consolidated through these activities, which offer everyone the chance to experience something unique: football is fun, play and light-heartedness, and brings the younger generations together.” 

Eng. Noura Selim, Executive Director of Sawiris Foundation, stated "the Atalanta Football Boot Camp is a solid example of Sawiris Foundation's commitment to empowering marginalized children. The camp provides an opportunity for underprivileged children to learn from professional football coaches, enhance their skills, and experience the joy of sports. This initiative aligns perfectly with Sawiris Foundation's new 2023 – 2028 strategy, which revolves around empowering change agents as well as creating a more equitable and inclusive society that avails the opportunity for every child to reach their full potential. We are grateful to Intesa Sanpaolo, ALEXBANK, Ora Developers and Atalanta BC for this special partnership that has helped bring this initiative to life. We firmly believe that projects of this nature can help underprivileged children develop the skills and confidence they need to thrive."

Mr. Haitham Mohamed, CEO of Ora Developers Egypt, expressed his heartfelt commitment to this cause, saying, "At Ora Developers Egypt, we believe in the power of sports to transform lives and build brighter futures. It is our privilege to utilize our comprehensive sports facilities and join hands with esteemed partners like Intesa Sanpaolo, ALEXBANK, and the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development to create this impactful platform. By nurturing the talents and dreams of these young individuals, we aim to leave a lasting legacy of positive change in their lives and communities. Together, we celebrate the joy and potential that sports bring to underprivileged children, reminding us all that every goal is within reach when we unite in purpose."