Sportal.it exclusive, Bruno Cerella: "Coppa Italia important, Poeta the'right man"
In Via Confalonieri 3, in the Isola district, Milan’s first Sports Library was inaugurated, dedicated to Gianni Mura, a great journalist who passed away on March 21, 2020. It is a public space created to tell the story of sport not only as competition, but as a cultural, social and civil phenomenon. The project pays tribute to the figure of Mura and, at the same time, is proposed as a living and participated place, open to the city and its initiatives. The inauguration was attended by a large audience. Among those present was Bruno Cerella, a former top basketball player who has been active in the social sphere for years. Sportal.it interviewed him exclusively on the sidelines of the event.
How important is this library?
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I think it is very important to continue to promote sports and its values. Milan is a central city internationally, and today we see this also with the approach of the Winter Olympics. Preserving a sports cultural heritage, not only through digitization but also through books and paper documents, is something valuable. I like the idea that this space can become a social reference point. Not just a place where people come to read, but a place to meet, share, organize initiatives and events. Like today, for example: it was a beautiful, participatory party, a time of true sharing.
What is the next project with your association Slum Dunk?
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If I look back, it’s almost 15 years in the making. I am happy and proud of it. From the very beginning we chose to use sports as an educational tool and to promote values. Our idea is to shorten cultural distances in the world through sports. That is why we are present in Cambodia, Kenya, Zambia, Argentina and also in Italy. Sports is a universal language: even if you don’t speak the same language, you can go to a playground anywhere in the world and understand each other. The ball and the rules of the game are a common code. We live in a complicated time; we often see conflict and division. We want to do the opposite: build bridges. And we do it through passion, through the love of life and sport.
How important can this Italian Cup be for Olimpia? Can it turn the season around?
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I think this Cup can have a very strong value for the team. It has been a complicated season so far, with ups and downs. They have shown how strong they can be, but there has been a lack of continuity in results in the Euroleague. It is part of a path of growth, especially with a new coach.
What can you tell us about Peppe Poeta?
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It is difficult for me to talk about him in a detached way, because I am one of his best friends. I really believe in him, though, both as a coach and as a person. I am convinced that his path will be one of perseverance and continued growth. He deserves the best, for the present and for the future.
