Sport fundamental for Italy's future, says CONI president

Rome, July 11 (IANS) Italy needs to invest more in sports education that is fundamental for the country's future, the president of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), Gianni Petrucci, said.

According to figures released by the Rome-based committee, sports in Italy accounts for 1.6 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), and has a turnover of nearly 25 billion euros (around $30 billion), reports Xinhua.

In 2011, the Mediterranean country exported sporting goods worth 1.8 billion euros ($2.2 billion), while household spending amounted to 22.1billion euros ($27 billion).

However, compared to Italy, the sporting sector in Austria and England accounts for a larger slice of the national wealth.

Yet, Italy was "among the top five countries in the world for historical results at the Olympics, and it has ranked in the top ten over the last 20 years," Petrucci said.

Italians who practice sports with continuity are about 13 million, or 22 percent of the population aged over three.

"Without sport, our country has no future, also for the health benefits on citizens," Petrucci said.

"Countries that are ahead in the return rankings are those investing more in schools," he noted calling for Italy to also invest more in the sports education for its younger generations.