Greetings from Authorities XXXII edition 2024

“Dear all,
The established event “Minibasket in Piazza” in our city of Matera, held in conjunction with the feast of the Madonna della Bruna, continues to build those essential and indispensable bridges that humanity needs today. Indeed, sport brings nations closer, facilitates the meeting of cultures and religions, and breaks down barriers to weave relationships of peace. Even the Minibasket teams meet and do not clash, playing together to show the beautiful face of the one human family that inhabits the earth. As Pope Francis says, “Sport has the power to unite people beyond their physical abilities, economic status, or social backgrounds. It is a tool of inclusion that breaks down barriers and celebrates diversity.” Sport teaches us to achieve victory with humility and, at the same time, to lose with dignity. These principles lay the foundations for “building a more just and fraternal society. I wish everyone, believers and non-believers alike, to experience these days with joy and the awareness that we are all brothers and sisters because we are all children of one Father who desires the good of His children and renounces all forms of violence, war, and injustice. I embrace you all and bless you.”

† DON PINO Caiazzo

“On the occasion of the 32nd edition of the international event “Minibasket in Piazza,” I would like to extend a warm greeting and thank all the protagonists of this eagerly awaited and engaging sports event, particularly the tournament organizers, the young athletes who – along with their families – come from far and wide. A special thought goes to the citizens of Matera who, with their hospitality shown even on this occasion, further confirm the spirit of welcome that distinguishes them.
During this week of joy and spectacle, in which the children will compete in fascinating sports challenges against the backdrop of this splendid square, it is not just the sport that takes center stage. The primary focus is the dissemination of the values that sport brings with it. These values are related to respect for others, inclusivity, integration, friendship, collaboration, sharing, and brotherhood, but also discipline, healthy competition, sacrifice, and loyalty. These educational principles significantly contribute to the fruitful and genuine growth of our young people. To them, I offer my personal praise and an invitation to continue in this direction, with the awareness that these moments of gathering represent essential milestones for cementing friendships among peoples and overcoming all forms of prejudice.“

CRISTINA Favilli

“ Once again, on the occasion of the 32nd edition of the sports event “Minibasket in Piazza,” I extend a warm welcome to the organizers, participants, and all those who have worked and will work tirelessly for its success. This event is a well-established format for the City of Matera and an unmissable opportunity to emphasize, once again, the importance of sport in everyone’s life, particularly for young people.
During this tournament week, there is much more to it than just games. It brings to light a whole world of values such as mutual aid, respect for the opponent, fairness and fair play, commitment and sacrifice, and adherence to rules.
The State Police will once again contribute to the initiative this year, providing the opportunity for young athletes to visit some offices of the Police Headquarters.”

EMMA Ivagnes

“With great pleasure, I join the greetings from other institutions, extending a warm welcome to the young athletes, companions, and organizers of the 32nd edition of Minibasket in Piazza. This event features the youngest participants: children from various nations and different cultures who gather every year in the City of Stones, united by a love for sport and a sense of brotherhood among peoples—universal values that no war can defeat.
Organizing such an event is no small feat; therefore, I wish to congratulate the organizers and the families of the participants who entrust their children to them for these unforgettable days in Matera. The Carabinieri are always happy to contribute to the success of the initiative, with the hope that the example of humanity and affection shown by these young individuals will serve as a model for everyone to follow.”

Col. GIOVANNI Russo

“We are truly honored to host the 32nd edition of this important international sports event, which qualifies Matera as a city of comprehensive culture. As a European Capital of Culture and UNESCO World Heritage site, our city looks with great interest at sports as a tool for growth and social inclusion, involving young people in physical exercise and respect for rules. Sports promote health and become an opportunity for city attraction, envisioning a city that fosters sociality, participation, and the use of spaces not only for the transit of vehicles and people but for encounters. We have renovated many sports facilities, inaugurated new ones, and much remains to be done on this front, but we believe in it deeply. Minibasket in Piazza has become an important event for the city, gaining international significance thanks to the passion and professionalism of its organizers. I extend my greetings and support to the young athletes, their families, the sports enthusiasts, and the organizers, along with a warm embrace on behalf of the entire city of Matera.“

DOMENICO Bennardi

“Basilicata once again extends a warm welcome to the young athletes and their families who will gather in two Lucanian cities, Matera and Nova Siri, for Minibasket in Piazza. This highly anticipated and well-attended event is more than just a sports competition. It is an opportunity for young basketball enthusiasts to explore new experiences, interact with peers from different countries, and compete against various teams and playing styles.
It is often said that sports serve as the third educational institution, following the family and school. Indeed, this is true. Sports activities shape character, help in overcoming challenges, teach fairness, and instill respect for rules and opponents. These values will accompany the young athletes throughout their lives.
I wish everyone an enjoyable and peaceful tournament.”

VITO Bardi

“Sports are a vehicle for comprehensive growth, and its importance extends far beyond mere physical effort: it educates in healthy competition, solidarity, loyalty, and respect for individuals and rules. For these reasons, the Province of Matera has decided to support the thirty-second edition of “Minibasket in Piazza,” which, as always, will give Matera the opportunity to reaffirm itself as the capital of hospitality. In extending a warm welcome to the participants and thanking the organizers for turning this event into a fixed appointment, I hope that Matera becomes increasingly a place for dialogue, sharing, and growth, ensuring young people from all over the world bonds of friendship, development, and mutual social inclusion. Sports, starting from healthy competition and transforming into a tool that fosters exchange and sharing, is an ambassador of peace and cohesion. In this particular historical moment, we especially need it. Have fun, everyone!”

PIERO Marrese

“Minibasket in Piazza” renews its appointment under the banner of continuity to highlight the importance of sports as a vector of growth and an essential point of reference for the development of young people. The tournament, now in its 32nd edition, continues to grow exponentially, increasingly appreciated on an international level, a clear testament to the ability to make a lasting impact through the strength of our movement. We are pleased that the foundational values of our system are being promoted and spread through events of this caliber, thanks to the organizational efforts of APD Pielle Matera and the beauty of basketball, which is not only a field of competitive challenge but also a life school. It offers a concrete opportunity to systematize the teachings of technical and human exchange that makes a difference.
The secret of “Minibasket in Piazza” lies in the intangible legacy that each edition contributes to making available to anyone who participates, a heritage that consolidates the centrality of loyalty, ethics, fair play, and brotherhood, indispensable facets for rooting a culture capable of inspiring young people and projecting them toward horizons rich with satisfaction.
On a personal note, and on behalf of the Italian National Olympic Committee, I extend sincere thanks to the organizers and heartfelt encouragement to those who, with talent and enthusiasm, will gift us with a new page of emotions and fun. Enjoy the tournament, everyone!”

GIOVANNI Malagò

“It’s not the first time I’ve been asked to greet the boys and girls, as well as the parents, coaches, and managers, of the teams participating in the Minibasket in Piazza Tournament in Matera, which also involves neighboring municipalities. I consider it a small but great privilege. So, with pleasure, I say: Welcome, boys and girls! Welcome to all delegations! This internationally significant tournament is a wonderful reference point for Italian basketball. You are here to play in an event characterized, for thirty-two years now, by the quality of commitment from the Organizing Committee and the sports and non-sports institutions involved. You will have the opportunity to experience a city where millennia of history, culture, and the people of Matera themselves express hospitality, social integration, and sharing as the basis for dialogue among people from different parts of the world, all speaking the common language of sports.
During this week, you will have very important technical and non-technical experiences. You will meet boys and girls from distant countries, engage with them, and I am convinced that you will grow as individuals and players, understanding that those kids may wear a different jersey, but they are just like you in their ambitions, desire to grow, and willingness to communicate. The magic of this tournament is unique. It’s played among the people, in the square, with Matera acting as a protective deity for all of you and for basketball.
You will have a wonderful memory of it for the rest of your life, I am sure.”

Ad Maiora

GIOVANNI Petrucci

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ANTONIO Nicoletti

“The international tournament “Minibasket in Piazza” represents an extraordinary opportunity for the young athletes of Corato and all participating teams. Beyond the competition on the court, this event offers them the chance to develop important values such as collaboration, determination, and fair play. Through interaction with peers from different cultural backgrounds, the youngsters will have the opportunity to broaden their horizons, learning to work together towards a common goal. In an increasingly globalized world, this tournament provides them with the opportunity to become aware citizens open to intercultural dialogue. May this experience serve as a stepping stone for their personal and athletic growth, enriching their lives with new friendships and valuable life lessons.“

CORRADO NICOLA De Benedittis

“Minibasket in Piazza,” with its 32 candles, represents an extraordinary event, capable of bringing together young people from diverse cultures and backgrounds, embodying the spirit of unity and sharing among nations. Every match, every shot, every act of sportsmanship represents a step forward towards a more cohesive society built on mutual respect. The enchanting backdrop of Matera, with its millennia-old history and unique cultural heritage, provides the perfect stage not only for sporting competition but also for friendship and cultural exchange. The Italian Parliament recognizes and firmly supports the importance of sports as a tool for personal and collective growth. Initiatives like this provide an extraordinary opportunity for our youth to develop not only their technical skills but also fundamental values to ensure a bright future. We are aware that to promote this, it is essential to invest in adequate sports facilities, especially in the South where the sporting potential is enormous and deserves to be enhanced with modern and accessible facilities for all. We will continue our commitment in this regard. I wish all participants to experience this event with enthusiasm and passion; may the best team win!

VITA MARIA Nocco

“It will be even more beautiful to meet again this year at “Minibasket in Piazza,” in the year of the minibasket boom. Extraordinary numbers approaching even 150,000 members show us how much desire there is for the most beautiful Game-Sport in the world.
Among the events that have supported the Italian Basketball Federation (FIP) in expanding the base of those who have chosen to play basketball since childhood is also “Minibasket in Piazza.” A constant presence in the territory, from season to season, from summer to summer, stronger than any adversity and contingency. A vital appointment like all those events capable of bringing sport to the square, the symbolic place of exchanges and healthy mutual contaminations. Here, you not only learn to play basketball but above all to become boys and girls, men and women. With strong roots in the territory but also with a natural openness to other nations and cultures, encouraging mutual enrichment.
If today Italian minibasket has become an international reference point, it is above all thanks to the commitment of organizers like you and events like “Minibasket in Piazza.” A tournament with a long tradition in a region that has made minibasket one of its sports flagships. One of the five Minibasket Tour 2024 Jamborees will be played right here, in Basilicata. A well-deserved reward for an effort that started from afar.”

MARGARET Gonnella

“Matera is a wonderful, exciting, and spectacular city, with its uniqueness epitomized by the historic center, the famous “Sassi di Matera.” I certainly don’t intend to question this fundamental cultural and historical element with my thoughts, but… Are we so sure that the community of Matera solely identifies with its “Sassi”? Are we certain that only the “Sassi” hold memories for those who come to Matera? Allow me to venture a consideration, and I hope the Materans themselves will forgive me.
For 32 years, there has been another element that characterizes the life of the Matera community… basketballs! Please pardon the audacity of my thought, but is it truly so?
For the hundreds of children from around the world who have been involved in Minibasket in Piazza over the years, along with their coaches and accompanying parents, basketballs have been the means to encounter and explore the Sassi di Matera. When an event captures the excitement of children, falling in love with the event itself and the context in which it is represented becomes natural and will likely remain a moment that accompanies their growth, both in sports and in life.
So, Sassi and basketballs in Matera… and may everyone have a great time at Minibasket in Piazza!

MAURIZIO Cremonini

Dear all,
Soon, the squares of Matera will once again be filled with vibrant and enthusiastic youngsters, who will challenge each other, playing basketball, in full respect of the rules and fair play. “MINIBASKET IN PIAZZA” is an international event, now in its 32nd edition, a long-standing commitment by the leadership and the entire Pielle Basket Matera group, which has become an indispensable reality, rewarded every time by the extraordinary success of the event. These are sacrifices made by sportsmen who believe in the values of sport and who daily commit themselves to the Matera community. I am confident that once again Matera and the whole of Basilicata will be able to express their values of hospitality, brotherhood, and belonging. In uncertain times like the ones we are living in, sport represents a meeting point between generations, to keep hope alive for the future. On behalf of the entire sports movement, which I am honored to represent as President of CONI Basilicata, I wish you all wonderful days of sports and good luck to the athletes who will take to the field. Have fun!”

LEOPOLDO Desiderio

“And here we are at thirty-two, thirty-two long years that tell many stories of sports, life, relationships, sacrifices, and joys. Pielle Matera has always been committed to sports, but competition has consistently taken a back seat to promote and convey a message far more important: that of fostering the growth and social development of communities. Fighting discrimination, promoting inclusion, healthy lifestyles, and respect for rules are all elements that have always characterized this tournament, rewarding the sacrifices of the leaders. The Minibasket in Piazza is a unique event of its kind, bringing joy to the Matera community and giving prestige to the sports world of Basilicata. An entire city involved, capable every year of highlighting the value of hospitality, a characteristic deeply ingrained in the DNA of us Lucanians. The positive image and social repercussions are the fruits and the logical consequence of a commitment for which women and men, leaders, coaches, and athletes of Pielle work tirelessly year after year, creating the conditions for everything to improve each time. Our thanks go to these women and men to whom we express our gratitude and with whom we share a great passion for sports.”Ad maiora semper !!!”

MATTEO Trombetta

“A warm welcome to all participants of the XXXII edition of the International “Minibasket in Piazza” Tournament, who from June 16th to 22nd, 2024, will be in Basilicata, guests of the City of Matera, united by their passion for basketball.
A heartfelt thanks to the Pielle Matera club, the organizing committee, and all the volunteers who, with their commitment, passion, and dedication, once again, and as every year, bring to life an extraordinary event.
And finally, best wishes to the coaches, young players, and referees involved in the tournament, so that they may enjoy a week of pure fun and healthy competition, interpreting in the most authentic way the true meaning and foundational values of minibasket”.

GIOVANNI Lamorte