Greetings from the Authorities 2013

“Welcome back to our city of Matera for the “Minibasket in Piazza” tournament. It’s a sports event that, even though more than two decades have passed, still brings excitement and anticipation to our community. Is there a reason for this? Certainly, it’s the awareness of the good that healthy sports bring to people, especially in youth development.

The current educational emergency, a sign of a decline in personal educational relationships, can be overcome by affirming important values ​​that sports also promote, such as friendship, loyalty, solidarity, the spirit of sacrifice, and solidarity. Sports educate young people to plan their lives with confidence and responsibility!

I invite the organizers and educators of this tournament to strengthen educational alliances, especially with the family, school, and parish oratory, to build “hope” in the new generations. By avoiding what can be dangerous or harmful to themselves and others, may they flourish in their deep human and spiritual values.

I wish everyone to enjoy this tournament in the joy of being together as brothers and sisters, feeling the “scent” of the great human family from all over the world.

Have fun!“

+Salvatore LIGORIO

The renewed edition of the Minibasket in Piazza sports event further strengthens the already solid relationship between young athletes and the city of Matera, following a tradition of over twenty years.

I have always maintained that the future belongs to the youth, who are the protagonists of the new era, and the message of sports can contribute significantly because often what we seek is within each of us and simply needs to be expressed.

Sports embodies values ​​that are expressed through active participation in practice and group association: friendship, solidarity, and the enthusiasm of youth.

The State Police, once again this year, supports and encourages with its sponsorship the significant Minibasket event, firmly convinced that the path of educating young people about legality cannot ignore principles and values ​​that are the foundation of an advanced democracy, originating precisely in sports activities as a tool for growth and development.

Pasquale ERRICO

“In recent years, Minibasket in Piazza has become a privileged space serving sport. A consolidated event that embodies a sports culture celebrating values ​​of solidarity, so rare in today’s society, with enthusiasm and passion. Healthy sports competition supports the growth of young people, educating them to improve themselves through comparison with others. It’s a dimension of reciprocity where respect fosters moments of sharing marked by freedom and authenticity. And thus, the province becomes an international square bustling with young people from all over the world choosing to grow together”.



Franco STELLA

“E’ con vero piacere che saluto la ventunesima edizione del torneo internazionale “Minibasket in Piazza”. La presenza di tanti ragazzi provenienti da nazioni diverse, portatori di differenti modelli divita, di cultura o di tradizioni, trova nella città dei Sassi un ideale fulcro di fratellanza e di amicizia tra i popoli.
Nell’esercizio dello sport, inteso come sano momento di crescita psico-fisica, le giovani generazioni devono trovare le ragioni della conoscenza reciproca, del confronto civile e della coesistenza pacifica, elementi che permettono di sperare i tanti steccati ancora esistenti nella società contemporanea.
A tutti l’augurio di una serena e felice permanenza nella nostra città.“

Salvatore ADDUCE

“The ‘Minibasket in Piazza’ event, now in its 21st edition, represents an occasion of which all of us in our city should be proud. It’s a grand and beautiful event that, through the colorful and joyful presence of young athletes, rejuvenates the values ​​of hospitality, brotherhood, and solidarity. Matera, an international city of peace, is delighted to host children from different countries and continents. The hope is that each one can find moments of genuine happiness to carry with them and cherish among their most beautiful memories; as, I am certain, has already happened to the children who participated in the early editions, to whom it would be nice to ask, now that they are adults, if they still hold memories of our city dear in their hearts. An official thank you, from me and the entire City Council, which I am honored to represent, to the families of Matera who contribute to the hospitality, to Pielle Basket, and to all those involved in making this moment of genuine serenity possible. ‘Good luck’ to the young athletes”.

Brunella MASSENZIO

“Twenty-one years represent more than just a tradition. They embody a history and a culture that have been wonderfully nourished by a passion for sports as an educational model and a means of dialogue with young people.

The Minibasket in Piazza Tournament, now in its twenty-first edition, has grown in this direction year after year. The name reflects exactly what happens during the Tournament week: Matera embraces the participants. In the square, the kids not only play but also live, pampered, followed, and even a little spoiled by the people of Matera who, every year during the Tournament week, find themselves with many ten- or eleven-year-old ‘children’, coming not only from different parts of Italy but from all over the world, to take care of.

The magic of this Tournament, the tireless work carried out by Pielle Matera throughout the year and during the Tournament days, the important sporting but also emotional and social experience that young basketball players live, fully expresses the beauty of playing basketball.”

Giovanni PETRUCCI

“In the collective imagination, the square is a place of exchanges, interactions, and sharing. It’s a space where people gather, where the communion of intentions amplifies its message. And in a 21-year-old story, the square is a basketball court, where the hopes and dreams of hundreds of young basketball players from all over the world intertwine, all united by their passion for the game.

It is a privilege to present the 2013 edition of the International Tournament “Minibasket in Piazza”, which will color Matera and some neighboring centers in the week from June 16th to 22nd. The 48 teams in the Aquilotti category (born in 2002/03) will be the protagonists of an event that this year, too, sets an example of organization and fun, and maintains its promotional role for basketball throughout the country. The many games admired during the event will be the opening act of a basketball symphony that will reach its climax on Saturday, June 22nd, when all the jerseys will meet for the grand finale in Piazza Vittorio Veneto. The picturesque Sassi of Matera and the illuminations set up in honor of Madonna della Bruna will provide the backdrop for a triumph of sports and friendship, in a place where sharing the basketball is the small, great dream that amplifies with every basket.”

Eugenio CROTTI

“Another celebration for basketball in Basilicata, beautiful, vibrant, as only the youngest ones are able to animate.
Their vitality is exactly what the world of sports needs today, at all levels.
It is no coincidence that the new leadership of the National CONI has decided, in continuity with the recent past, to pursue and improve those projects that involved direct engagement with the grassroots.
That grassroots is made up of the new generations, those of the youngest, who range in age from six to fourteen.
The projects “Motor Literacy” and “Educamp” are aimed at them, activities that direct and invite children to take their first steps towards various sports disciplines.
Sport is quality of life, sport is prevention, sport is education.
These are the basic concepts that we believe we share with the Basketball Federation of Basilicata, with “Pielle”, which shows so much commitment by organizing this wonderful event annually, now in its twenty-first edition.
To them, to the organizers, to the families, but above all to the little ones, goes my heartfelt good luck wish, which is meant, above all else, to be a sincere wish for their lives.”

LEOPOLDO Desiderio

“I extend the greetings of the Regional Committee of FIP Basilicata, and my personal greetings, to all the children who will participate in the XXI edition of the International Tournament “Minibasket in Piazza” in Matera from June 16th to 23rd, 2013. The event represents a showcase of great importance for all basketball in Basilicata and is characterized by both European and non-European resonance and a high socio-cultural profile. I am sure that all the participants in the Tournament will be welcomed and hosted in the best possible way by the City of Matera and its inhabitants, and will be able to gain a significant experience not only in sports, but also in human and cultural aspects. The tireless commitment of Pielle Matera and the Organizing Committee will surely be rewarded, once again this year, by the participation in the event of a very large audience made up of tens of thousands of people”.

Giovanni LA MORTE

“Welcome to Bitritto! Dobrodoli u Bitritto!
On behalf of the entire Municipal Administration and the entire community, I express our pride in hosting once again in Bitritto, for the fifth year, the event ‘Minibasket in Piazza.’ Many children from every continent, who, facing a basketball hoop and the small ball that manages to unite the world every year, become protagonists of a great atmosphere of celebration, healthy and exciting sports competition, and interpersonal and intercultural exchange. What a great opportunity for tomorrow’s adults to become ambassadors of peace and sport! I am confident that once again this year, ‘Minibasket in Piazza’ will manage to involve our entire community and gather it in the square, the symbolic place of every municipality, where it will warmly welcome the young basketball players of Pol. Basket Bitritto, whose instructors and organizers deserve my applause for their splendid work, especially those from Serbia and Bosnia. Bitritto is also ready to become a square of the world! Good tournament to everyone!”

Vito LUCARELLI

“For the first time, Toritto has the opportunity to be part of the organization of the ‘Minibasket in Piazza’ Tournament, now in its twenty-first edition. Participation is an opportunity for our young people, who will have the chance to meet and compete with peers from all over the world, and above all, to share a beautiful experience like that of sports. I consider sports an indispensable tool for growth not only for health but also and above all for the culture of every person because it teaches the values of being together in respect of the rules, encourages competition to improve oneself, and forever unites people because the best friendships are forged in sports. Sports is also an extraordinary vehicle for peace because it allows men and women of every race to meet and compete in the game, thus breaking down any prejudice about the ‘different’ because the different does not exist. And finally, it is about basketball, the sport with the oldest tradition in Toritto, where 60 years ago, it was played in the square, so it will be wonderful to experience again the game, which none of us has ever wanted to abandon. Therefore, I feel obliged to thank the sports organizing associations, and in particular the AGSD Toritto, for the commitment and passion with which they will allow all the boys to live this unforgettable experience.”

Michele GERONIMO

“Minibasket in Piazza is ‘Mini’ only in terms of the age of the children, but it is an event of great cultural significance, through which our city will once again experience strong emotions. Once again, it will be an important appointment for everyone, as it has already been for previous editions, due to the joyful and extraordinary participation of children from different parts of the world, who will vie for ‘the top spot’ solely around the basketball, regardless of ethnic, political, economic, religious, and other differences. Strange, indeed, how the world works: just one ball to be happily fraternal; on the profound meaning of this initiative, we all have much to reflect on and learn at all levels. If this tournament, which enlivens our city life at the beginning of summer, has been seen in this light in recent years, I believe it is ‘Mini’ only for the age of the participants. On the values, however, it is immense! To the talented and visionary organizers, heartfelt thanks on behalf of the citizens and myself; to all the children, Italian or foreign, my warm embrace.”

Massimiliano PADULA

“On behalf of the entire community, I am honored to welcome the 21st edition of Minibasket in Piazza to our area. This is an excellent opportunity to bring together, in a context of joy and growth, children from all over the world, all united by the same passion for sports. Our city, always very sensitive to youth sports activities and the life of associations, will have the honor of hosting these beautiful and constructive competitions. Santeramo is not indifferent to the role played by sports in the education of children; through healthy sports competitions, young generations become aware of the value of rules, but above all, respect for the opponent. These are all lessons that I am sure will one day be translated into their daily lives.

So, I extend my greetings to these children, united by their love for basketball and ready to compete with peers from other cultures: welcome to our city, fill it with your usual enthusiasm, and become bearers with us adults of the values of loyalty and respect. Good luck, and long live sports!

Finally, thanks to all the educators who, through sports practice, daily let young people taste how much adults love them and how much they sacrifice for them.

Our city opens its arms and envelops everyone in the spirit of friendship!”

Michele D’AMBROSIO