Sport that educates, includes and creates relationships. Thursday 29 January 2026 at the San Rocco oratory in Sondrio basketball becomes a tool for growth and comparison with Tommaso “Tommy” Marinoa former professional basketball player, now a television commentator and a very followed face also on social networks, in Valtellina to present the “Slums Dunk” project, a non-profit voluntary organization that uses basketball to improve the lives of many young people, especially in the most fragile contexts.
The evening, promoted by Salesians Don Bosco of Sondrio, will open at 19 with “Two shots in basketball” together with Marino, an informal moment on the court followed by a buffet open to all. At 20 instead there will be space for a meeting with young people from Sondrio and the surrounding area, during which the basketball player will talk about the birth and meaning of “Slums Dunk”, a project that combines sport, training and inclusion.
“On the eve of the Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, we have an important opportunity to understand how sport can unite generations, promote peace, educate values and do good. We are waiting for all children from 11 years onwards, in particular teenagers and young people”, he underlines Don Emanuele Cucchi, director of the Salesian House of Sondrio.
The initiative, aimed in particular at young people and educators but open to the whole community, is free with registration by 26 January 2026 (bookings here). The appointment is part of the calendar of celebrations of the Salesian month promoted by the Don Bosco Salesians of Sondrio in view of the solemnity of San Giovanni Bosco.
The program kicked off on Friday 9 January with the testimony-show “The magic of the smile” by Andrea Del Giudice and Stefania Liborio. The exhibition “The missionary soul of the Salesian charism” will be inaugurated on Friday 23 January, presented by Don Giovanni Rondelli and open to the public until 8 February. From 28 to 30 January, in the church of San Rocco, the triduum of prayer will be held in preparation for the solemnity of Don Bosco, which will be celebrated on Saturday 31 January with the Holy Mass. The initiatives will end on Sunday 1 February with Mass in the Collegiate Church, lunch in the Oratory, the finals of the Don Bosco competition and the show for children and families “Mago Linus”.
