“The main objective is to offer the children hosted at the IPM of Caltanissetta a concrete possibility for their social reintegration”. This is how Eugenio Parla, weightlifting instructor, explained the factor that pushed him to accept the role of contact person for the area of the “Oltre la meta” project which concerns weightlifting, one of the four sporting activities that will take place during the 18 months planned, together with rugby at 15 and 7, and futsal.
“Oltre la Meta” of the IPM Caltanissetta and Nissa Rugby as part of SPORT DI EVERYONE – “Carceri”, is an initiative promoted by the Ministry of Sport, through the Department for Sport in collaboration with Sport e Salute SpA, the State society for the promotion of sport and correct lifestyles. The initiative is part of the activities envisaged by the memoranda of understanding signed with the Department of Penitentiary Administration (“DAP”) and with the Department for Juvenile and Community Justice (“DGMC”).
The delicate task of “forerunner” therefore fell to Eugenio Parla, a long-time athlete who, before his experience in the world of weightlifting, also practiced judo, kyokushinkai karate, muai thai and Brazilian jujitsu.
These are his words regarding the carrying out of the weightlifting activity, now concluded: “The project started in mid-February and involved 24 hours divided into 2 hours per week, on Thursday afternoons from 4.30pm to 6.30pm, for a total of 12 appointments . During these lessons, within the IPM of Caltanissetta, I taught the rudiments of weightlifting, starting from the two technical exercises i.e. snatch and push, as well as what weightlifting is for, also useful as preparatory training for all types of sports thanks to the explosive force generated in the execution of the two technical exercises. Initially, several IPM users expressed curiosity to discover the world of weightlifting and gym training. But then not everyone decided to continue.”
Eugenio Parla then focused on the opportunity that each of the kids has available by participating in this activity: “The project did not have as its objective the mere teaching of simple technical gestures but rather tried to stimulate these kids, veterans of a difficult past , the desire to obtain the instructor’s license so as to guarantee a job prospect and therefore a path to social reintegration, through sport and socialization. In fact, the license can also be used inside gyms as an athletic trainer or gym instructor”.
Finally, maestro Parla wanted to delve deeper into an aspect that he thought was really important: “Along with the technical part of the training and what they can do in the gym as instructors, I tried to accustom the kids not only to doing the technical exercise but above all to explaining to a partner the correct method of execution”.
The weightlifting activity and the work of maestro Parla have come to an end but, as already anticipated, all the other disciplines included in the project will start in the coming months, so there will be no shortage of further opportunities for growth and enrichment for the IPM guests of Caltanissetta. It will therefore be up to them to seize the opportunity and not let it slip away.
