Franco Baresi accomplished in his life more than anybody could expect from a person. He led the Milan team and its defense for 20 years (1977 – 1997) winning six league titles and participating to 3 World Cups and after retiring continued to sustain the team through the club’s junior sector giving a decisive impulse to youths’ activities in collaboration with product manager of Milan’s Junior Sector Michele Ferraris.
Since Baresi started his venture within the youth’s section, the Milan Park arrived to Zagreb, Sarajevo, Belgrade and Bratislava in 2004, Brazil in 2005, 6 China towns in 2008 and Saudi Arabia in 2012. Not to mention the Milan Junior Camp that involved 15 thousand kids reaching 160 locations in 40 different countries, including Mongolia.
Accustomed to play matches and promote youths’ initiatives around the world, the Italian champion had however never visited the desert before.
Drawn within an important historical and archeological region of Saudi Arabia, Baresi commenced his tour following the itinerary of a famous Caravan Route at the borders of Rub al Khali — one of the largest and most dangerous sand deserts in the world covering 650,000 square kilometers — escorted by local authorities and accompanied by Italian Consul General Simone Petroni and a small AC Milan delegation.
At the times of Arabia’s ancient Kingdoms, camel caravans from the south carrying incense and perfumes towards the north considered Najran an important staging post, particularly essential for refilling water before entering the Rub al Khali.
In this area, the group admired rock inscriptions and stone circles that can be traced back to the Stone Age and got refreshed with camel milk, Arabic coffee, dates and a ball of wheat and fat mixed with honey arranged in a tend in typical Bedouin style.
“It’s my first time in the desert. In Europe we have many beautiful landscapes but it’s impossible to experience the magic of these empty spaces and the simplicity of ancient habits that Bedouins are preserving,” said Baresi.
“I’m enjoying each and every moment, meeting a lot of kind people and finding a sincere hospitality. I’ll probably never forget these moments and will carry with me the imprint of the desert,” he added.
Back in the city of Najran, an even more exotic and folkloristic atmosphere awaited the group that participated in traditional male dances agitating Jambiyahs and playing drums within the mud-walled historical governorate.
The jambiyah is a type of dagger, typical of Yemen and certain parts of Saudi Arabia, with a short curved blade worn on a belt that tells the status of a man and is considered a symbol of virility. Walking along a traditional Jambiyahs’ souk, Baresi and Petroni were given two daggers as a form of welcome.
Tastes of Bedouin nomadic life and traditional costumes in an area untouched by touristic presence that preserves its authentic flavors was followed by a visit to Najran’s museum and Ukdhud’s pre-Islamic site (famous for a massacre of Christians citizens in the 6th century) and finally the opening of AC Milan Park.
Inaugurated for the first time in August 2000 on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of AC Milan Football Club, the Milan Park is a project that evolved in the last ten year acquiring also an international dimension.
To the joy of people and kids from Najran, Baresi unexpectedly reached the park the day after its inauguration and played a short match assisted by Petroni who was hilariously wearing an AS Roma shirt bringing a taste of Italian competition to the south of the kingdom.
To learn more about AC Milan Park’s inauguration read also the articles at the following links:
