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Basseterre, St. Kitts, November 07, 2019 (SKNIS): More than 50 footballs (soccer balls) were donated to the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis by the Government of Italy as a way of promoting an active and healthy lifestyle among young people.

Minister of Health, the Honourable Eugene Hamilton accepted the donation that was handed over by the Ambassador of Italy to St. Kitts and Nevis, His Excellency Mr. Massimo Ambrosetti in a brief ceremony on Tuesday, November 05. Minister Hamilton expressed thanks to the Government of Italy and noted that the donation will go a long way in helping to keep the young people healthy.

“Soccer is one of the things that keep our young people healthy. Getting out and playing sports is needed by every young person to be able to stay healthy,” said Minister Hamilton. “Today’s young children, some of them are diabetic or pre-diabetic… but if soccer balls are there for them to play soccer, they can get the normal exercise – and of course, twinning that with the proper food, we can reduce the incidence of diabetes in our schools,” the Health Minister added.

Ambassador Ambrosetti wished the young footballers every success in the future, noting that the sport of football is popularly known and played in both St. Kitts-Nevis and Italy.

“This is a gift of our national football federation. We know that in St. Kitts and Nevis, as in Italy, young people are very fond of football, and we think that is very important – the role that sports can play in the education of young people,” said the Ambassador. “So we are very glad that Italy can contribute in this way… and I am sure that in the future we can continue to do this.”

The presentation stemmed from a request made by the Honourable Eugene Hamilton for some footballs from the Government of Italy, via the resident Honorary Vice Consul of Italy to St. Kitts-Nevis, Mr. Ernest Amory. Mr. Amory worked along with Ambassador Ambrosetti, who resides in Panama, to secure the footballs for St. Kitts and Nevis. The Ambassador made the trip to St. Kitts and Nevis to personally present the footballs as a fulfillment of the request made by Minister Hamilton.