FSGC, Stefano Bevitori withdraws from elections: "I will continue to give my contribution to football from the touchline"

Less than a month and a half before the Elective Assembly that will determine the next four-year term of the Federal Council (2025-2028), Stefano Bevitori announces that he does not intend to run for a position in the executive of the San Marino Football Federation. The long-serving San Marino sports official joined the Federal Council in 2008, was reconfirmed three times in a row, and will step down after sixteen years and four consecutive terms.  

The world of sport has always been a cornerstone of my life. Football, in particular, has been the passion to which I have devoted much of my effort and dedication. Today it is clear to everyone that sport cannot be limited to a challenge that is an end in itself, nor can it be reduced merely to the result of a match. Practising sport is much, much more. Above all, it means health and well-being, friendship and fulfilment, but also education and respect for others. The potential of sport is virtually limitless: it supports and sustains entire economic sectors, helps to bring closer together countries with divergent positions and can even promote the resolution of conflicts. With these values I have carried out my commitment and service for everyone. First and foremost for the children I have seen grow up and become teenagers; for the teenagers I have seen become men and, last but by no means least, also for the girls who have given me the most recent and extraordinary satisfactions. In these years, thanks to the San Marino Football Federation, I have had the incredible opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of this wonderful world. Since 2008 I have had the honour of serving as a member of the Federal Council, which has allowed me to witness countless memorable moments that will remain in my heart forever. For all this I wish to thank my colleagues on the outgoing Board of Directors, starting with President Marco Tura. I also wish to thank the members of the previous Boards of Directors of which I was part, with a special mention for President Giorgio Crescentini – the "founding father" of our Federation. It is also only right to thank all those who work and have worked for the growth of the Federazione Sammarinese Giuoco Calcio, from the coaches working on the pitch to the many who work behind the scenes. Finally, my greatest thanks undoubtedly go to all sportspeople, both those who step onto the pitch and those who remain in the stands. Each of them contributes, in their own way and to the same degree, to supporting and fostering the growth of the world of football. As always happens in these cases, when you look back there are many things I would have liked to do better or differently. Fortunately, there are also the many milestones and goals achieved. For example, futsal activities – which today are highly competitive at international level. I am sure that the completion of the Futsal Arena in Serravalle will give an important and further boost to this discipline. Also worthy of mention is the incredible and unstoppable growth of women’s football. As I was saying, the girls of the San Marino Academy are giving us extraordinary satisfaction, a sign that we are on the right track and must continue along this path. The projects in the pipeline, which must be pursued and supported, are many and demanding; others will be launched. To do this in the best possible way, energy and dynamism are essential, as well as a great deal of passion. As far as I am concerned, this latter quality is still the same as ever – or perhaps even greater – but as for the other requirements I have just mentioned, I must admit that the passing years are beginning to make themselves felt. For this reason, I believe the time has come to step aside in favour of someone who can certainly fulfil this role with greater freshness. After all, in everything I have done I have always believed that young people make the difference and that a strong team must be built starting from its youth sector. Therefore it is right to consider making way, in the hope of being replaced by a young man or woman who can be nurtured and valued. My thanks again go to all the people I have met over these years along my journey as a sports director, both on and off the pitch. My commitment in the service of this extraordinary sport remains, and will remain, unchanged, albeit in a different capacity. For the undersigned, football has been, is and always will be the greatest passion; therefore, even from the touchline, I will not fail to give my contribution to the growth of football and sport in general. Thank you again to everyone,

Stefano Bevitori

   

---