The Italian club put on an event for its participants after playing both of its games on the road during the One Team Games week
Milan lays on a special One Team Day
One Team News
5 Mins read
On February 8, six days after the One Team Games came to a close, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan – in partnership with Fondazione Laureus Sport for Good Italia, and Scalo Milano Outlet & More – created its very own One Team Day for 160 children from the Istituto Comprensivo Arcadia in Gratosoglio, a neighborhood in the southern suburbs of Milan. The Italian club pulled out all the stops, too, making it an event that the kids would never forget.
The day began with the children being picked up from their school in yellow buses provided by Scalo Milano Outlet & More, which took them directly to the Forum, Milan’s arena. Once they had arrived, the kids were able to watch on from the stands as Ettore Messina put his Milan players through a final training session ahead of that night’s fixture against reigning EuroLeague champion Real Madrid. That was just the start of the fun.
Once the session came to a close, the One Team participants made their way down from the bleachers and joined the Milan players on the court, meaning they were able to be alongside their heroes. Just as expected, there were smiles and heartwarming interactions all round, with the squad taking part in a photo with the children in an unforgettable moment.
Then, in the afternoon, the kids were able to check out Milan’s locker room and trophy room before heading out onto the training court once more – but this time in game-ready clothes to emulate their heroes such as Kyle Hines, Nikola Mirotic or Shavon Shields. Again, the One Team participants could not hide their delight during the One Team session, and they even got a private visit from Milan guard Giordano Bortolani, who came along to offer some advice and ask the children some questions.
Milan’s One Team group is very familiar with One Team Ambassador Gigi Datome, and he was keen to get his photo taken with the participants before the day was over. There was also the chance for the kids to turn into journalists as they asked questions to Bortolani in a press conference room, and three participants later took the players’ spot in the press conference to respond to questions regarding their own One Team experiences.
“Participating in the One Team project with Olimpia Milano was an extraordinary experience,” stated Datome. “Having the opportunity to share my passion for sports and contribute to the education of young people is rewarding. Through this project, I was able to see firsthand how sports can inspire and transform lives. Interacting with the kids involved has always been a special moment. It is exciting to see the importance of growing not only as athletes, but also as individuals. The results we are getting confirm that investing in the union of sports and education is the right way to build a better future.”
Later in the day, it was time for the main event: Milan vs. Real Madrid. The kids were seen on the court during the pre-game activities, joining the Real and Milan players as they underwent their final preparations. One lucky participant was able to carry the game ball and place it on the pedestal, too. After, it was game time!
“For years, Olimpia Milano has been proud to pursue the One Team project, a testament to our commitment not only in the world of sports, but also in [terms of our] social responsibility,” said Michele Samaden, Milan’s One Team Manager. “This project represents the heart of our mission: to unite people through basketball, teaching important values such as respect, teamwork and dedication. Each year, the One Team project grows, as does my figure within this wonderful journey. This is not only a sign of our success, but also a reminder of the importance of our work and the positive impact we can have on the community.”
At the end of the third quarter of the game involving Milan and Real, the crowd inside the Forum was invited to support the club’s 2023-24 One Team project by running the Milano Marathon together, which takes place on April 7, with Fondazione Laureus Italia. Having won the gold award at the One Team Awards for its work during the 2022-23 campaign, the initiative is enriched by donations from companies and individuals who decide to run the solidarity marathon with Laureus, as they actively contribute to the One Team project.
“To make a difference, we need important partners with whom we can develop projects that make an impact and last over time,” noted Daria Braga of Laureus. “This is what we have been developing with Olimpia for five years now and which is gaining important recognition within the One Team ecosystem itself; there are the awards, which we are very proud of, to prove it. But above all, it is demonstrated by the interest and participation in the project of the young people who are here today to tell us the importance of this initiative.”