Como and bowls. A relationship that is not always easy, given the recent eviction without the possibility of appeal of the historic Bocciofila Combattenti in via Balestra (here is the article with photos and video). But at the same time, a world made up not only of simple enthusiasts, but also of high-level athletes who will compete on the Como fields, combining sport and solidarity.
In fact, on Saturday 22 June, the 87th Lombardy Grand Prix took place at the Bocciofila Larios in Monte Olimpino, an individual national “Raffa” holiday competition of the highest level with around sixty of the best Italian players, including Erbese Luca Viscusi, 2022 world champion and currently at the top of the national ranking. An event that also marks the definitive rebirth of the company after a long period of stalemate.
“The company was reconstituted at the end of 2022 on the ashes of the historic Monte Olimpino bowling club after twelve years of closure during which, however, the club in via Bellinzona that hosts us, which is also home to other local associations, continued to be active not only for those who want to meet up to be in company or for a game of cards, but also to play a game of bowls in the summer on the semi-covered courts – says the president of the Larios Bocciofila, Christian Andreani – for a couple of years, instead, we have reconstituted the real amateur sports association with members ranging from thirty to eighty years old and athletes who take part in competitions such as the one we will host, for the second consecutive year on Saturday 22nd, a national competition of great importance strongly supported by the our honorary president Ivano Poletti, main sponsor of the event, or like those we will organize in the coming months”.
“Our goal is to make the game of bowls known to an increasingly wider audience thanks to competitions of this level – he continues – and in the future, after having obtained all the necessary qualifications, we would also like to bring school children closer to this world, but also think about inclusive projects like those that the Italian Bowls Federation already carries out by promoting disciplines for those with physical, intellectual and relational disabilities”.
And precisely to open up to the territory by involving other inclusive realities, the catering service at more than controlled prices available to the public and athletes will be managed by the Da Noi restaurant in via Lambertenghi in Como (stock photo below), a small miracle of inclusion that provides work, through a specially established social cooperative, to ten regularly paid disabled children and three others in apprenticeships supported by four able-bodied people.
“As Bocciofila we are committed to covering living expenses so that the proceeds of the day can be entirely available to the restaurant’s projects. At our first catering experience outside the walls of the restaurant – explains Andreani – it seemed like a good way not only to offer a service to those who come to watch the race, but also to make this beautiful reality of Como even more known”.
And for those who, after having seen the best Italian athletes play, would like to get closer to the world of bowls or even just want to take advantage of one of the few social and meeting places left in the city, especially for people who are no longer very young, the doors of the Bocciofila Larios and the club are always open: “Registration to our association as a sympathetic member costs 10 euros per year but anyone who wishes to frequent, in addition to the bowling greens, also the club’s premises, perhaps for a game of cards with friends, can instead sign up for an annual membership card of 15 euros which gives him free access to the structure, as well as to the fields – says the president – and the doors are obviously always open also for those who, until some time ago, attended the Bocciofila Combattenti. We look forward to them playing with us if they wish.”
