Gegham Kadimyan in Sciacca: Armenia and Italy United Through Football Unitas Sciacca at the Heart of Armenia-Sicily Relations
The Armenian presence in Sicily has ancient roots, consolidated over centuries through commercial and cultural exchanges. The most recent example is the Medal of Gratitude awarded by the President of the Republic of Armenia to Palermo physician Francesco Paolo Guarnieri, distinguished for humanitarian reasons. "I chose Sciacca because I sensed the seriousness of the project," Kadimyan stated, words that echo the stories of many Armenians who have found a second homeland in Sicily.
Trained at Ararat, a prestigious Armenian club, Kadimyan brings international experience to the Agrigento-based team, having distinguished himself with his national side during the 2022 World Cup and 2024 European Championship qualifiers. Ignazio Rizzuto, president of Unitas Sciacca, commented: "We are proud to have brought in a player of this caliber. He represents a leap in quality and signals our ambitions."
The arrival coincides with the intensification of Italian-Armenian relations fostered by the last three Armenian ambassadors to Italy, the strengthening of ties between the two nations, and the publication of a dedicated scholarly work on the subject. Football, following the Italy-Armenia international match played in Palermo in 2019, once again becomes a vehicle for cultural integration, reinforcing already well-established historical bonds.
Kadimyan, who has already begun training with his teammates, will be available for the season opener. Fans eagerly await seeing him at the "Gurrera" stadium, while the club aims for a top-tier championship campaign. A small yet significant chapter in the relations between peoples that the Mediterranean unites through culture, sport, and humanity.
Carlo Coppola
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