Equestrian sports as a resource of the country. This was the main theme of the conference ‘The impact of equestrian sports on the Italian economic systemo ‘, held at the Luiss Business School (Villa Blanc) in Rome, during which the research ‘Il Cavallo Vincente’ was presented, the study carried out in collaboration between the Fise (Italian Federation of Equestrian Sports) and the Luiss Business School. Many illustrious guests attended, including the President of Coni Giovanni Malagò and the Undersecretary of State to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers with responsibility for Sport Valentina Vezzali.
During the round table it was underlined how, with the development of new techniques and new technologies, we are witnessing a progressive sophistication of the sports market, which therefore turns into a real world of work and economic opportunities for the future, going to affect also and above all the country’s GDP. Reading the data relating to the growth of the sports sector, underlines how Equestrian sports prove to be a resource of the country, with repercussions ranging from 2.3 to 3.0 billion euros on GDP. The impact on employment is also growing, thanks to the significant increase in the 170,000 FISE members as of 30 September 2021, with an incidence of + 53% compared to 2020 data and at the same time the whole sector induced growth is growing.
Analyzing the moment that sports are going through, Marco Di Paola, president of Fise, commented: “The period change that our society is experiencing, highlights how sport is no longer just the achievement of an Olympic or international record, but a real training path for many young generations and a moment dedicated to the psycho-physical well-being of many adults, which strongly influences the lifestyles of contemporary society. All families want to exercise and dedicate a portion of their annual budget to sports. The federations’ mission, which is to obtain the greatest number of medals and sporting records, is implemented by the commitment to intercept and satisfy a new audience, which sees sport as an integral part of their lifestyle “.
In his speech Giovanni Malagò, president of Coni, added: “The stakeholders who faced the sporting world in Italy, so far, have only been in contact with the football, volleyball, basketball or tennis federation. Today, however, the Fise has proposed itself in this sector with an important project from an economic point of view. I want to applaud the Fise which – thanks to the professionalism and foresight of President Di Paola – has managed to establish itself at very high levels with respectable events such as Piazza di Siena or the World Championships at Pratoni del Vivaro, creating a new and strong image. To do this, however, it is important to pursue different paths: to create emulation and, above all, to have an entrepreneurial vocation. Having demonstrated – concluded Malagò – that the FISE is closely linked to the creation of an induced activity deriving from Italian sport that produces 1.7 billion euros, means having demonstrated what the FISE of tomorrow can become ”.
For Valentina Vezzali, Undersecretary of State to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers with responsibility for Sport, underlined how “this study, prepared by Fise and Luiss, opens up important doors for us to give even more value to the Italian sports sector. Sport has always led to play, creating integration and helping to overcome individualisms. In Italy, therefore, promoting sport becomes a cultural factor, playing an important game also for equal opportunities. After all, in our country the numbers speak for themselves. Sports disciplines represent the sixth industry in the country, with 100 thousand professionals and 35 thousand active companies, for a production that generates over 14 billion euros, without considering related activities. Important numbers, which see Italy as the second European country for the production of value by sports companies, which leads to a GDP of the sector that is close to 3% “.
Presenting the study ‘Il Cavallo Vincente’, Matteo Giuliano Caroli (Associate Dean for Internationalization of the Luiss Business School and author of the research together with Prof. Alessandro Serra) declared: “The development of this analysis has allowed us to enter an articulated world and full of passion, such as horse riding. Together with prof. Alessandro Sarra we have studied the national economic impact of the equestrian sports system. It involves a very varied set of sectors, with the influence on the Italian economy much wider than one might think. In addition to the direct and indirect induced, in fact, the socio-cultural, educational and well-being effects should be valued. With this research we wanted to return a photograph of the sector which, for the first time, takes into account quantitative data and which allows a more lucid evaluation of its role in the country’s economy ”.
Fabio Schiavolin, CEO Snaitech and president of the Milano Jumping Cup Organizing Committee and at the top of the organizing team of the European 2023, instead emphasized the relationship between sport and the entertainment sector: ” The assignment of the European 2023 to Snaitech and at the Snai San Siro Hippodrome is a recognition for the Milan Jumping Cup, as well as representing a further boost to the project which, not surprisingly, we have defined as “the theater of the horse”. In fact, the idea is to offer the public a unique show, built on the integration of equestrian sports and equestrian sports “.
“I feel I am giving a clear message: sport has two fundamental roles, grassroots sport which often replaces institutional failings, and major events, on which public opinion in the recent past has been convinced that they were wrong. We want to return to investing in major events – added Alessandro Onorato, Councilor for Tourism, Major Events and Sport for the Municipality of Rome, while Diego Nepi Molineris, General Manager Sport and Salute Spa, underlined that “from 2017 to today the steps that the Italian Federation of Equestrian Sports did make me think that the model developed is certainly winning in many respects: development and promotion of a sport, healthy management of the federation and investments on the basis. We are tackling the journey by thinking of a five-year plan that can lead to constant growth in this world “.
“Sport and Peripheries, in addition to the NRP, aim to invest in sports facilities – added the director of Sport and Health -. There can be no competitive spirit and high level without a strong base. Proximity, territory, ease of access to calls and processes must be the starting point for a new development of Italian sport “. The event was also attended by Simone Perillo (Secretary General of Fise), Ettore Artioli (Federal Councilor and President of the Centro Studi Fise), Alessandro Sarra (Professor Luiss Guido Carli), Anna Gatti (Director of Intesa San Paolo), Roberto Tavani (Presidency of the Region Lazio Delegation to Sport), and Giovanni Mantovani (General Manager of VeronaFiere Spa).
Source-www.adnkronos.com