Samp robot helps Quagliarella and Balde visit hospital kids

Sampdoria paid a visit to the Gaslini Children’s Hospital on Epiphany once again this year – but this time it was a virtual visit, courtesy of a special robot, to eliminate any risk of COVID infection.

From the trophy room at club headquarters in Corte Lambruschini, Fabio Quagliarella and Keita Balde guided the remote-controlled ‘Baciccia’ – wearing a Sampdoria shirt with a tablet in place of the head, videocamera, microphone and loudspeakers – round the hospital ward, handing out dozens of gifts.

The Doria duo joked with the young patients and their families, bringing a few minutes of joy on the Samp robot’s maiden journey. Baciccia will soon be put to work again to help bring the club closer to fans despite the difficulties of the pandemic.