by Nina Vaclavikova
Interviews: Gabriele Cont – pediatrician at Burlo Garofolo Hospital and President of the Burlo Garofolo Foundation; Elisa Lodi – Trieste Councillor for Real Estate Heritage and Sports.
A charity football tournament supporting Trieste’s Burlo Garofolo children’s hospital will return to the Nereo Rocco Stadium on June 13 and 14 for its third edition, organizers announced at a presentation held at City Hall on Tuesday.
The event, titled Un Goal per i Bambini del Burlo (“A Goal for the Children of Burlo”), is organized by four local buffet establishments—Buffet Iera Ora, Buffet Terzo Tempo, Buffet L’Approdo and Buffet Il Ciketo—in partnership with the amateur sports club Roianese and with the support of the Municipality of Trieste.
Municipal officials, including Mayor Roberto Dipiazza, Finance Councillor Everest Bertoli and Sports Councillor Elisa Lodi, attended the launch alongside representatives of the Burlo Garofolo Foundation and the organizing groups.
The tournament combines recreational football with fundraising efforts for the Burlo Garofolo Hospital, a leading pediatric and maternal healthcare institution in the region. This year’s proceeds will be used to purchase a twin surgical operating lamp for the hospital’s cesarean section operating room.
According to the Burlo Garofolo Foundation, the equipment is designed to provide uniform, shadow-free illumination during surgical procedures, helping medical teams maintain optimal visibility during obstetric operations. Hospital officials say the technology plays an important role in ensuring safety and quality of care for both mothers and newborns.
Organizers have set a fundraising target of approximately €20,000, matching the amount raised during last year’s event. Foundation President Gabriele Cont said the initiative has become a successful collaboration between local businesses, volunteers, sports associations and public institutions.
The two-day program will feature youth football matches, appearances by former players and community activities in a festival-like setting. While sport remains at the center of the event, organizers say the primary objective is to generate tangible support for healthcare services at the Burlo Garofolo Hospital.
Funds raised through donations and tournament activities will contribute directly to the purchase of the new surgical lighting system, which hospital officials describe as an important investment in maternity care.
