by MK
At a regional government meeting in Trieste on Thursday, 26 March, Italy’s minister for sport, Andrea Abodi, outlined two priorities shaping national policy: improving the energy efficiency of sports facilities and expanding access to sports for people with disabilities.
Speaking at the presentation of “Sport in Regione. Opportunità e fondi per lo sport regionale,” Mr. Abodi said inefficiencies in Italy’s sports infrastructure cost an estimated €1.2 billion annually — more than double public spending on sports. In Friuli Venezia Giulia, about 12 percent of facilities are energy efficient, slightly above the national average.
Rather than relying on subsidies to offset rising costs, he said, the government is encouraging investment in modernization, with potential reductions in energy bills of up to 40 percent.
Mr. Abodi also highlighted accessibility, particularly following the recent Paralympic Games. He said high costs for prosthetics and adaptive equipment remain a barrier, and that the government, working with the health minister, Orazio Schillaci, is considering measures to expand funding and integrate such tools into the national health system.
The regional governor, Massimiliano Fedriga, said cooperation between national and regional authorities had improved, allowing for better coordination of resources and policy. He added that further collaboration could strengthen existing regional investments in sport.
Mr. Fedriga also described sport as a tool for social cohesion and public health, particularly in smaller towns and suburban areas, where access to facilities can help sustain communities and support preventive care.
The initiative presented in Trieste is part of a broader effort to align national and regional strategies on sports infrastructure and participation.
