The 32 was presented this morning in the Mandela Hall of the Municipality of Materato edition of the International Minibasket Tournament in the Square reserved for the Eaglets category. For this edition, 48 teams from 4 continents (Italy, Venezuela, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Montenegro, Serbia, Libya, Lebanon, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Nigeria) will meet on the pitches of Matera, Nova Siri, Santeramo in Colle, Molfetta, Corato and Bitritto. At the table the mayor of Matera, Domenico Bennardi, the Chief Commissioner of the Matera Police Headquarters, Valerio Tornese, lieutenant colonel Gianfranco Di Sario, commander of the Carabinieri Company of Matera, the municipal councilor for culture Tiziana D’Oppido, the vice mayor and municipal councilor for sport Antonio Materdomini, the delegate of Sport and Health, Matteo Trombetta, the provincial president of the CSI, Lorenzo Calia, together with Giovanni Cotrufo and Ilaria Martinelli of the organizing committee. During the press conference, the new features of the 2024 edition were presented.
13 years later, the return of Caracas from Venezuela which, together with the return of the reigning champions from Toronto, created amazement in those present. After 20 consecutive participations, the Jordan team will not be there due to critical issues related to the Israel-Hamas war.
As usual, in the presence of a large audience, the winning children of the Graphic Competition combined with the Tournament were awarded. One or more drawings were chosen per school from the primary schools of Pascoli, Semeria, Bramante, Minozzi and La Martella in the 4th and 5th classes. “In a period of major conflicts, Minibasket in the Square launches the challenge: the children of the world against war and for peace”, this was the theme of the competition.
The teacher Anna Cifarelli with one of the winners of the competition, Lucia Iacovone of VB Minozzi, awarded by the Chief Commissioner of the Matera police station, Dr. Valerio Tornese
The event will take place as always in the spirit of hospitality of the miniathletes in the families of Matera and the centers where the competitions will take place.
The grand finale will be held on June 22nd in Matera in Piazza Vittorio Veneto, and at the end prizes will be awarded to all participating teams and the coveted trophy to the winner! There will be no shortage of prizes for those who, with their attitude, have distinguished themselves for their commitment to sport and to supporting young people.
Another absolute novelty is the “3×3” tournament which, among the many collateral activities of the event, will give all participants the opportunity to create bonds, promoting inclusion among the young athletes from different countries scheduled for Wednesday 19 June at the Palazzetto Giannino Grieco and at the “Luca and Davide Cotrufo” Playground.
See you on Monday 17 June at the Boschetto “Parco Papa Giovanni Paolo II” for the inaugural ceremony in the presence of the highest local and non-local authorities, for the symbolic delivery of the keys to the city to miniathletes from all over the world and for the reading of the promise of athlete in 6 languages.
Cover photo from the Pielle Matera website
