Presented this morning in the Mandela Hall of the Municipality of Matera was the 32nd edition of the International Minibasket in Piazza Tournament, reserved for the Aquilotti category. This edition will see 48 teams from 4 continents (Italy, Venezuela, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Montenegro, Serbia, Libya, Lebanon, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Nigeria) meeting on the courts of Matera, Nova Siri, Santeramo in Colle, Molfetta, Corato, and Bitritto. At the table were the Mayor of Matera, Domenico Bennardi, the Chief Commissioner of the Matera Police Headquarters, Valerio Tornese, Lieutenant Colonel Gianfranco Di Sario, Commander of the Matera Carabinieri Company, the Municipal Culture Councilor Tiziana D’Oppido, the Deputy Mayor and Municipal Sports Councilor Antonio Materdomini, the delegate of Sport and Health, Matteo Trombetta, the provincial president of CSI, Lorenzo Calia, along with Giovanni Cotrufo and Ilaria Martinelli of the organizing committee. During the press conference, the new features of the 2024 edition were presented.
After 13 years, Caracas from Venezuela returns, along with the reigning champions from Toronto, creating excitement among the attendees. After 20 consecutive participations, the team from Jordan will not be present due to issues related to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
As usual, in the presence of a large audience, the children winners of the Graphic Contest associated with the Tournament were awarded. One or more drawings were selected for each school from the Pascoli, Semeria, Bramante, Minozzi, and La Martella Elementary Schools of the 4th and 5th grades.
The event will once again feature the hospitality of the young athletes in the families of Matera and the towns where the games will be held. The grand finale will take place on June 22 in Matera’s Piazza Vittorio Veneto, where prizes will be awarded to all participating teams and the coveted trophy will be given to the winner! There will also be awards for those who have distinguished themselves through their commitment to sports and support for youth.
Another absolute novelty is the “3×3” tournament which, among the many side activities of the event, will provide an opportunity for all participants to create bonds, promoting inclusion among young athletes from different countries. This is scheduled for Wednesday, June 19, at the Giannino Grieco Sports Hall and the “Luca e Davide Cotrufo” Playground.
We look forward to seeing you on Monday, June 17, at the Boschetto “Parco Papa Giovanni Paolo II” for the inaugural ceremony in the presence of the highest local and other authorities, for the symbolic handover of the keys of the city to the young athletes from around the world and for the reading of the athlete’s pledge in 6 languages.
Happy Minibasket in Piazza to everyone!
