New York, October 7, 2025 – In the elegant setting of the Consulate General of Italy in New York, the Italian Sport Day in the World was celebrated — an initiative promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to highlight sport as a tool of cultural diplomacy and a showcase of Italian excellence around the globe.
The event, titled “Excellence and Innovation: a vision for the Italian sport”, was organized in collaboration with I Love Italian Food as part of the House of Made in Italy project — a platform dedicated to promoting Italian excellence in the United States through the integration of culture, gastronomy, sport, and innovation as expressions of a single national identity.
The evening opened with welcoming remarks by Fabrizio Di Michele, Consul General of Italy in New York, and Silvia Meloni, Vice President of I Love Italian Food, who both emphasized how initiatives like this one represent a unique opportunity to showcase Italy through sportsmanship, passion, and the outstanding quality of its products — bridging tradition and modernity.
The event brought together athletes, coaches, and professionals from the Italian and international sports scenes to discuss the role of sport as an ambassador of Made in Italy values: dedication, talent, creativity, and the ability to innovate.
The talk, moderated by Simone Sandri, U.S. correspondent for La Gazzetta dello Sport, featured Kyle Hines, internationally acclaimed basketball champion; Giuseppe “Pepito” Rossi, former Italian national team footballer; Veronica Angeloni, sports executive at Savino Del Bene Volley and former member of the Italian national volleyball team; and Riccardo Fois, assistant coach of both the Italian National Basketball Team and the New York Knicks.
Special contributions were offered by Ekaterina Antropova, 2025 World Champion with the Italian Women’s National Volleyball Team, and Vincent Candela, former AS Roma football player and current ambassador of sport through the World Legends Padel Tour.
The discussion explored how sport serves as a powerful tool for intercultural dialogue, innovation, and global promotion of the Italian system. The speakers highlighted how Italian sport embodies not only competitive excellence but also style, creativity, and shared values that define the essence of Made in Italy worldwide.
Following the talk, guests enjoyed an Italian food experience curated by Chef Fabrizio Facchini, who presented a tasting journey inspired by authentic Italian tradition — a celebration of products, conviviality, and that unmistakable connection between food and culture that defines Italian identity, both at home and abroad.
The Italian Sport Day in the World at the Consulate General of Italy in New York successfully combined two pillars of Italian identity — sport and cuisine — into a single evening of cultural diplomacy and celebration, reaffirming once again that Made in Italy means excellence, passion,
House of Made in Italy is a project by I Love Italian Food and the Columbus Citizens Foundation, carried out under the patronage of the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) and ENIT – Italian National Tourist Board, with the support of Coldiretti and Filiera Italia.
Sponsors: Agriform, Mulino Caputo, Casa Modena, Ciao Il Pomodoro di Napoli, Filicori Zecchini, Acetaia Giusti, Granterre, Lurisia, Monini, Parmareggio, Mionetto, Effeuno, Il Newyorkese, Marino PR, La Gazzetta dello Sport, and Istituto 100% Italiano.
