Charles, the “Black Pearl” of the Polisportiva Magna Graecia: the story of an invisible person who became visible thanks to sport. This is the story of Charles, born in Malakan, South Sudan, on 24 December 1994. He lived a life marked by escape and the search for a better future. After a troubled passage through Libya and a flight to Fiumicino, he arrived in Italy as a political refugee, finding hospitality in the Cidis Impresa Sociale ETS of Cassano Ionio starting from November 2022. It is here that his story took an unexpected turn. Intercepted by the Polisportiva Magna Graecia ASD of Cassano Ionio, an association that promotes sport as a tool for inclusion and human enhancement, Charles was invited to try running. The Polisportiva, faithful to its principles of non-discrimination and promotion of collective well-being, offered Charles the opportunity to transform his passion for running into a true competitive journey. After a period of technical tests under the careful supervision of the instructors, the results were immediately evident: Charles possessed a natural talent for running. On 6 March 2024, Polisportiva and Cidis Impresa Sociale ETS formalized a memorandum of understanding to officially support Charles in his sporting journey. Thanks to this agreement, the Polisportiva provided all the medical examinations necessary to introduce him to competitive running. With the constant support of instructor Fausto Corrado, Charles trained hard, proudly wearing the uniform of the Polisportiva Magna Graecia. The results did not take long to arrive. Charles took part in numerous races, covering kilometers of asphalt in Calabria and beyond, and achieving the first podiums both in the overall category and in his specific class. Among his most memorable feats, the victory at the Fidal Calabria CDS Regional Team Championship, first place in the V Strabotricello on 8 September and the success at the “Eugenio Palmierino” Memorial on 13 October in Palmi. Charles has been dubbed the “Black Pearl” of Polisportiva Magna Graecia, a moniker that celebrates his exceptional strength, dedication and talent. But, above all, it tells a story of redemption. Charles, once invisible, has become visible thanks to his passion for sport and the community that welcomed and valued him. Charles’ story is a tangible example of how sport can be a powerful tool for social inclusion and personal rebirth.
John
John, founder of Odnako, combined his journalism degree with technical expertise to revolutionize global news consumption. Before Odnako's 2011 launch, he gained diverse experience across the media and tech fields, setting a solid foundation for his mission to provide comprehensive, unbiased news. His vision and leadership have since established Odnako as a trusted, innovative news platform worldwide.