LGBT people as well as heterosexuals, and they also provide opportunities for about him, they were talking about him
discussions about the organisation’s
right across the region.
daily work to combat all forms of discrimination. The organisation also uses
The club Audax Cervinara were quickest
football to promote dialogue about
off the mark. They signed the midfielder
sporting and social experiences, respect
and last season were promoted into Italy’s
and understanding. The IGLFA’s objective
fifth division. “We knew that Sanna was
is to foster the self-respect of male and
a great player,” explains club president
female players and help to ensure
Joe Ricci. “We also knew that he was the
that they are not confronted by daily
right man to help us achieve our goal of
abuse for being homosexual, bisexual or
getting into the Lega Eccellenza. We took
transsexual.
him into our hearts.” This is just a brief overview of the three The rest of Italy has since done the same,
shortlisted nominees for the award.
as the young man from Gambia has
After assessing the projects, jury
become a TV celebrity thanks to his
member Jaiyah Saelua, who is herself a
moving personal story. And the mayor of
Fa’afafine – a third-gender person in
Cervinara is positively effusive when
American Samoan culture – could not
singing Conteh’s praises: “He shows that
help but be impressed. Saelua, who
it is worth following your dream,” says
was also the first openly transgender
Filuccio Tangredi. “Conteh suffered a lot
person to take part in a FIFA World Cup™
and now he is reaping his rewards. We all
qualifying match, said: “Knowing that
love him and we wish him all the best for
each nominee may be highly deserving
the great career that lies ahead of him.”
of the award will make our jobs difficult, but I am sure that this award will inspire
MONEY FOR THE FAMILY BACK HOME
more and more people from around
It looks like Conteh might soon be saying
the world to make positive changes for
goodbye to Cervinara. The young hopeful
their communities, organisations, and
has already had a trial at US Avellino,
most especially for the sport”.
“This award will inspire more and more people from around the world to make positive changes for their communities.” Jury member Jaiyah Saelua
a club in Italy’s second highest league, Serie B. The next step in his career will
That quote ties in perfectly with the
probably be settled in the next few weeks.
original ideas that led to the introduction of this new award. After all, while there
Cervinara captain Simone Cioffi recently
can only be one – richly deserving –
said that Conteh would go far – and
winner when their work to promote
couldn’t hide his emotions when talking
diversity and anti-discrimination is
about him. Whenever Conteh himself
honoured in Manchester on 26 Septem-
appears on TV, he always laughs. It’s his
ber 2016, as they step up to accept the
trademark. And he really only wants to
distinction, they will also do so on behalf
do one thing: play football. A lot. If he is
of the many, many organisations, projects
successful at it and able to earn money
and initiatives that are, in their own ways,
for himself and the family back home in
working wonders day in, day out to
Gambia, so much the better.
promote social inclusion in football.
Collaboration: Giovanni Marti
FIFA 1904 /
15