NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (November 07, 2019) — St. Kitts and Nevis was on the receiving end of a number of footballs, a goodwill gesture from the government and people of Italy. The gift was presented to Hon. Mark Brantley, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Premier of Nevis at his office at Pinney’s Estate, by His Excellency Mr. Massimo Ambrosetti, Italian Ambassador to the twin-island Federation on November 06, 2019.
A thankful Mr. Brantley welcomed the visiting ambassador, noting that Italy and St. Kitts and Nevis have enjoyed a close relationship for many years.
“We have a great admiration for Italy – your food, your fashion, your sports. I think there are many here who follow your football in Italy in particular and who support it even in the World Cup.
“So I think we have a good relationship over the years and I wanted to thank you, and to welcome you to Nevis on behalf of all the people of Nevis, and back to the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis on behalf of all of us,” he said.
Ambassador Ambrosetti who was visiting Nevis for the first time stated that this visit to the Federation was in line with strengthening the bilateral relations between his country and St. Kitts and Nevis.
He spoke of the gift he was delivering, citing that it was a little celebration of both country’s common efforts in sports.
“I know that soccer/football is very popular in the islands and what is more important is that young people can be trained, can do sports which of course is a very important part of education for young people.
“So I am very glad to bring here some footballs offered by our National Soccer Federation but I hope that these will be just a first step because we are considering also to organise a soccer camp with the contribution of some premier league soccer teams from Italy. So let’s work on it, and let’s hope that it can materialise in the near future,” he said.
The Ambassador was accompanied by Ms. Thouvia France, Foreign Service Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
To date, the Italian government has made various offers of training and scholarships in Tourism, Quality Control, Textile Engineering and Micro-financing.
Members of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force have benefited from a training course in Organised Crime in Rome, Italy.
On a recent visit to St. Kitts, Special Envoy Roberto Natalie indicated Italy’s readiness to offer additional courses in fighting Organised Crime. Additionally, he expressed that Italy would be willing to share its expertise in textiles, sports – football and technology.
He mentioned that a request that was made for footballs from Italy had now been approved. In light of this, Ambassador Ambrosetti is now visiting to present the footballs, fulfilling the request of the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis.
END