After 41 years, his judo gym in Viale della Resistenza in Scampia is in danger of closing. For three years, a sudden bureaucratic obstacle has been unleashed which can erase one of the most famous and concrete realities of social recovery in the difficult Neapolitan district, which has become all too well known for the fiction "Gomorrah". Master Gianni Maddaloni does not lose his proverbial tenacity, nor does he hide behind words to tell what is happening on his «Star Judo Club».
Gianni Maddaloni, instead of receiving economic support, have you received requests for money? “Yeah, we never had a lease on the current gym location. We have never been offered to sign one, enabling us to evaluate its convenience. Instead, three years ago we began to receive requests for payment of a monthly fee of 1800 euros. In addition, claims for arrears totaling 270,000 euros have been notified to us».
Where did the requests come from? «From the Municipality, which is rearranging the patrimonial situation in its pre-instability condition. Naturally, I'm not paying because I'm not in a position to do so, neither the monthly fees nor the alleged arrears. The last time, the mayor De Magistris told me that he would settle the matter, but so far nothing has happened and the requests for money continue to arrive".
Who is helping his gym right now? «Paolo Scudieri of Eccellenze Campania, which allows us to pay the electricity, water and gas bills. In the past, Amedeo Manzo of the Bcc, the Lions and the Rotary gave us a hand. Two years ago, we had a contribution from the Region decided personally by President De Luca. Until 2012, the Municipality gave us a hand and, with the mayors Marone and Iervolino, granted us the location of the gym. Now, instead, they are asking us for payments from Palazzo San Giacomo».
Yours, like that of maestro Zurlo in Torre Annunziata, is a sporting activity of social significance in a difficult reality. Do you too, like the Zurlo gym, not receive institutional aid? "Exactly, that's right. I have always put passion and commitment into this gym. Out of 600 who attend it, only 120 pay a fee that is certainly not onerous. I welcome children of prisoners, kids taken off the street. I also train athletes who do competitive activity, following the example of what my son Pino did who won the gold medal at the Sydney Olympics in 2000».
Has the gym become a reference in Scampia? «I think the best telltale is the words of the people of Scampia. Everyone knows me and says hello. I have no prejudices, but only the goal of saving those who find rules, life lessons, values in respect for others in sport from the street. Every Friday, with Caritas, we also distribute 200 meals to those in need".
Is it true that you have prisoners in legality recovery programs on the advice of the supervisory judges? "Yes. Since 2012, I have welcomed 569 inmates from the prisons of Ariano, Carinola and Poggioreale. Currently, we have 14, divided into two hours of the day, engaged in internal and external cleaning activities as well as custodian work. It is the Maddaloni route, which is a recovery activity for children who have ended up on the wrong roads».
Ever think you failed on any of the guys who passed your gym? «Yes, ten years ago a boy who won two Italian titles was training. It was a real promise, on the phone they informed me that he had been arrested for committing a robbery. My arms dropped. A circle of wrong friendships conditioned him».
How many athletes who do competitive activity train in your gym? “About fifty. I hope to be able to bring some of them to qualify for the Paris Olympics in 2024. I have hopes for Luigi Brusetti, Mario Petrosino, Martina Esposito and my eighteen-year-old acquired son Brayan, who is now playing the European championships in Udine. In the next few days, I will also accompany my sixteen-year-old daughter to Latvia who will participate in the European cadet championships ».
Does your son Pino's family tradition continue? «Yes, my children try to set an example in the gym, with their commitment and sacrifice in training. This place takes away from certain flattery of the road, so present in Scampia. The former chief prosecutor Giandomenico Lepore noticed it immediately when he came to meet me and put me in contact with private individuals who supported us financially. One continues to do so and it is Paolo Scudieri».
What appeal do you want to make? «Sport is education in legality. Gyms get offenders off the street. I, who was born and live in Scampia, feel close to these guys and, when the gym closed in June, I kept about twenty of them on a training campus. I believe in the commitment of the facts, not in empty talk».