CENTRO SPORTIVO ITALIANO (C.S.I.). – This is an initiative desired by the General Directorate of the A.C.I. and promoted by the Italian Catholic Action Youth, with the “aim of disciplining, coordinating and developing sporting and hiking activities, viewing them in a Christian spirit.”
The C. S. I. had a predecessor in the Federation of Italian Sports Associations (F.A.S.C.I.), which, founded toward the end of 1906, prospered until 1927, when it was suppressed by the Fascist regime, which sought to monopolize this sector of citizens’ activities as well. The C. S. I., established in Rome on 1 March 1944, has a central governing council and an ecclesiastical assistant. At its base are the Unioni sportive, parish-based or established within other Catholic organizations, such as oratories, colleges, and institutes. The Unioni sportive join the C. S. I. through the diocesan sports office, from which they receive membership cards and publications. The C. S. I. has special agreements with the Italian Olympic Committee (C.O.N.I.) and with the various national sports federations. The C. S. I. publishes Stadium, a monthly sports-information periodical.
BIB.: The popular booklets published in Rome: Che cos'è il C. S. I.: Nasce l'Unione Sportiva; Statuto e regolamento; la collezione dei numeri di Stadium. Luigi Cardini