AC Milan players Christy Grimshaw and Yunus Musah engage with secondary school students in New York, London, and Nairobi, promoting a culture of tolerance and inclusivity as outlined in the Club’s RespAct Manifesto
Milan, London, Nairobi and New York, 24 January 2024 – In a new edition of “All the Colours of Sport,” AC Milan extends its program beyond national boundaries to celebrate the International Day of Education. The initiative, designed to guide individuals in the school system toward awareness of tolerance and inclusivity through value-based interactions with the Rossoneri, reached secondary school students across three continents.
The program connected with students from Wantagh High School in New York and Cardinal Pole Catholic School in London (in collaboration with Restore the Music UK), along with beneficiaries of the Sport for Change program from Fondazione Milan in New York (with Success Academy Charter Schools) and Nairobi (with Alice for Children), and educators from Kampala, Uganda (with Fondazione Italia Uganda).
Christy Grimshaw and Yunus Musah, hailing from Scotland and the United States, respectively, played a central role in the meeting. The two midfielders shared their personal experiences, addressing topics such as racism – a problem that the recent Serie A round once again confirmed to be a current and tangible issue in the world of football – multiculturalism, and the culture of inclusivity in a football dressing room. They also highlighted the importance of combining sports and education, and also responded to the students’ inquiries.
“Throughout my career, football has taught me values such as patience and respect. Patience helps you understand that you shouldn’t be discouraged because, by working hard, you can achieve your goals. Respect is fundamental, especially when sharing daily life with over twenty different individuals in the locker room,” said Musah. In the context of the event, where inclusivity was a central theme, the midfielder also commented on what happened in the last matchday: “It’s really sad to see things like what happened last Saturday continue to occur. These actions must have consequences; something needs to be done. Our reaction on the field was right: it gave us the confidence that we are a united group, emerging from that evening stronger than before and with a victory”.
“During my career, I had the privilege of playing football and earning a degree at the same time,” Grimshaw shared. “An experience that taught me to be patient and work hard. In a locker room like ours, with players coming from every part of the world, it is crucial to educate each other about each other’s culture, asking as many questions as possible to better understand one another and having great respect.“
Launched in the 2020/21 season, “All the Colours of Sport” aims to provide a platform for dialogue between AC Milan representatives and students globally. This initiative seeks to equip younger generations with the knowledge and understanding necessary to address relevant themes in their everyday lives.
The programme aligns with AC Milan’s RespAct Manifesto, underlining the Club’s enduring commitment to sharing the positive values of sports and confronting all forms of prejudice and discrimination.
