Mourning in the blue world for the death of Stefano Balducci. A professional journalist, a doctor who missed two exams after graduation, Balducci had turned 67 in February. In the FIGC, he arrived at the press office in 1991, after having been at Coni and having held the position of head of the Federtennis press office; since then he has always been at the side of Antonello Valentini, of whom he was a faithful deputy and with whom he shared years of glory, but also many difficult moments, before taking charge of the TV rights office of the FIGC and organizational manager of many expeditions to European and World Championships.
“On such a sad day I want to remember Stefano with the passion and availability that, in the many years he lived in the Federation, he has always shown in the growth of the young people he collaborated with – these are the words of the Federal President, Gabriele Gravina-. An entire generation of colleagues owes him the most important teaching: love and enthusiasm for the Azzurri shirt and the FIGC. He leaves an unbridgeable void in all those who have appreciated him for his professional skills, but above all for his extraordinary humanity “.
“Stefano had the makings of a leader, but he was one of us. He was a special leader, his role never made us feel. He was a teacher, a point of reference especially for young people because he knew about it with them. He understood them, helped them. Always available to everyone, many of us have become what they are today thanks to him, his teachings, his example “, reads the note from the FIGC.