Ten years ago the dream of many Interisti came true: fans, players, children around the world. It has been an unforgettable season, in which we like to think we played an important role. It was September 2009, in fact, when the delegations of children from all over Inter Campus world arrived in Italy for a week of sport, education and fun. It was an extraordinary event that ended in San Siro, before Inter-Napoli, with a cheerful and chaotic lap of honor on the pitch by all of the children teams wearing their Nerazzurri shirt and the flags of their countries. They gave “five” to the players lined up, future Champions of Italy, Europe and the World, who responded with smiles and caresses. The game started a few minutes late, to recover the necessary order, after that festive foray. The Sports Judge also gave a fine for this delay and the President Massimo Moratti declared he had never been so happy while paying a fine… the energy of those children certainly brought good luck to the future heroes of the Triplete.

The streets of the Champions League and of Inter Campus returned to cross when the Cup arrived in Milan and began a tour of events throughout Italy. Together with Inter Club and through the intermediation of UNICEF, funds were raised for a project in Congo. With the proceeds from the fans’ offers to be photographed with the cup, we allowed Alba Onlus, Inter Campus partner in the Congo, to create a changing room with sanitary facilities and running water pipes in the village of Cawama near Kilobelobe, north-east of Lubumbashi. And in that context, having showers and running water is not obvious at all, but it is indeed a unique and very precious opportunity for children and their families. The initiative was proudly presented by the then UNICEF President Vincenzo Spadafora, now courageous Minister of Sport and a friend of Inter Campus.

It was a year of success both on and off the pitch, which produced positive repercussions for our young participants who still benefit from those spaces in Lubumbashi, created thanks to the affection of Inter fans. It is as if the outstretched hands the children gave the players before that Inter-Napoli match had returned in the form of celebration and concrete aid, testifying to an ever-stronger bond with the Nerazzurri colors. It is no coincidence that on the wall at the entrance to the field in Congo, the words “Mina Kupenda” stand out: I Love You (Inter).