Nino Gagliardi, coach of the Italian Under-21 volleyball team from Bari, received recognition from the Municipality of Bari.

"With this small recognition, we intend first and foremost to demonstrate our pride in an extraordinary coach who has achieved prestigious sporting goals. Furthermore, we would like to remind everyone that sport, which has been a constitutional value for some years now, is also fundamental within a community. It is up to us administrators to ensure that sports promotion grows thanks to the presence of facilities in the area." With these words, the mayor of Bari, Vito Leccese, presented an award this morning to Nino Gagliardi, Bari coach of the Italian women's national under-21 volleyball team, for his victory at this year's World Championships in Indonesia.

"What the national volleyball team has achieved," the mayor added, "is a very important result, which we hope will also help revitalize volleyball in the city." Leccese also emphasized the commitment to "open school gyms to the community in the afternoons, because sport is essential for the healthy growth of our children."

Gagliardi explained that this is "a magical moment for Italian volleyball, thanks to the timely planning of the Italian Volleyball Federation (FIPAV). I would add that it's a tremendous honor to be able to represent our region wearing the blue jersey: in Puglia, we've always had the opportunity to work with peace of mind and grow as a competitive team." "I hope," he concluded, "that the glories of a few years ago can return here and that we can see many teams in the A1 and A2 series, both men's and women's, back in Bari, as in the rest of Puglia."