On behalf of the Board of Directors, CONI President Giovanni Malagò awarded Team Italy softball manager Enrico Obletter the Palm for Technical Merit (Palma al Merito Tecnico) on November 17, 2020. The Palm of Technical Merit Award is given to Sports Technicians who have distinguished themselves by obtaining high national or international results from their athletes or teams. Italian national softball team manager Enrico Obletter punched the Azzurre squad’s ticket to the Tokyo Olympics when undefeated Team Italy shut out Great Britain 5-0 in the WBSC Europe/Africa Olympic Qualifier Super Round Final in Utrecht, the Netherlands on July 27, 2019.
CONI also awarded President Riccardo Fraccari with the Golden Collar (Collare d'Oro). The Golden Collar is the highest honor awarded by CONI to athletes who have earned World Titles or Olympic gold medals and also to sports officials who bring honor through their invaluable contribution to Italian sports. Additional Golden Collar Awards were given to Sabatino Aracu (roller sports), Marco Scolaris (sports climbing), and two Italian presidents of international federations of sports represented in the Tokyo Olympics. Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
