A man who has marked the history of football of Friuli Venezia Giulia. Mario Martini, long president of the Figc regionalwas missing at the age of 87. Known and esteemed above all for the innovations it has been able to introduce, it is also remembered for having been among the first to bring results and comments on television already in the 1980s. After entering the Provincial Committee of Udinehe then went up to the regional level first as deputy secretary, councilor and for twelve years president. The conclusion of his experience was the delegation of the youth blue national teams.
About twenty years ago, in 2005, Mario Martini had been appointed honorary president of the Regional Federcalcio Regional Committee. A deserved recognition, given i 35 years dedicated by the Udine manager to the world of regional amateur football.
Mario Martini during a award ceremony
His career began in 1970 as secretary of the Provincial Committee of Udine, a position left in 1976 following the call by the former regional president, Diego Meroiwho appointed him regional deputy secretary, press officer and secretary of the disciplinary commission. Assignments that Martini held until 1987, the year in which he was first elected councilor and then, in June 1992, president of the regional amateur football.
«His health conditions had worsened in the last few days – says his daughter Donatella – he missed on Friday evening. It has been at home until the last, as if by his desire, also to look at football games. And we have always stayed next to him. He had constantly headed all the things of his world, of football and every morning, sitting on his armchair, he read the Venetian messenger. Football for him had been a great passion first and then a job, as a manager. In all these years, he has seen the football world change and has been the architect of many revolutions. I remember my father as an example of correctness and honesty, two values that I will always carry inside ».
«It was he – are the words of Renzo burgerswho was his successor – who made me enter the Football Federation when I left my commitment to the Pro Fagagna sports union. He told me he wanted me to the team and took me to the board. He was a great worker and an innovator, he made several interesting initiatives for a better football. He gave a lot to the whole world of football, which he has been able to rejuvenate ».
«He was a friend and travel companion – he declares The journalist Paolo Cauterro – We shared many moments of football and sport and worked together with mutual respect. Strengthened by his experience in the management of a large self -portion company, he had great organizational qualities ».
The last farewell to Mario Marini – who in addition to his wife Giannina and daughter Donatella, whom he loved to call Kikki, leaves all the other relatives and friends – will be made in strictly private form.
