Paolo De Crescenzo is the testimonial of the HaBaWaBa International Festival 2016. The italian coach, 66 years old, will be the face of the 9th edition of the greatest sport event for the children from 6 to 11 years old, scheduled on June 19th till June 26th at the Villaggio Ge.Tur in Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy.
Key player in the 70enties with Canottieri Napoli, winner of 4 Italian championships and one Champions Cup, De Crescenzo has expanded his fame thanks to his achievements as coach: 9 Italian Championships, 2 Len Champions Cups, 2 Len Cup Winner’s Cups, one Len SuperCup and 2 Italian Cup, all of them achieved by leading Posillipo. One silver medal won with the Italian Settebello at the 2003 World Championship in Barcelona, De Crescenzo did train also Pro Recco and Acquachiara.
Rather than all his victories, what makes him perfect as testimonial for the event is his passion for waterpolo, which was born just at the age of the little attendees of the HaBaWaBa International Festival. “I started playing in the 1961, when I was 11, for Canottieri Napoli – he says -. Since then, waterpolo is my life. I hope it will be the same for many of those HaBaWaBa little players”.
Are you happy to be the new testimonial for the Habawaba?
It s an honor to have been chosen for this role, I thank Waterpolo Development and particularly Lucio Pisani and Bruno Cufino for picking me. HaBaWaBa is now an international event and an amazing means for the promotion and the development of waterpolo. Furthermore for me it is like a coming back”.
What do you mean?
I took part at the very first edition in Castel Volturno in 2008, as coach of Campiania Sport. Since then, I’ve kept on following the evolution of the festival and it is nice to ascertain its growth becoming just a worldwide event.
Are you aware that the next one will be a record edition: in Lignano we expect 98 teams for the U11 tournament and 25 for the U9.
This is the proof that the HaBaWaBa is now a worldwide event which is an asset for waterpolo. To promote the game by increasing the knowledge in other countries is essential. To experience something such this kind of event will help the children to get appassionate to this sport and therefore to keep on playing back to their own countries. The HaBaWaBa International Festival is something that combines the sport to the amusement, a huge party that need to be taken with the right approach. I’m looking forward to be in Lignano.
Is there anything you want to say to all the youg players that will get to Lignano Sabbiadoro from all around the world?
I wish them to learn as much as they can about waterpolo, but most of all I wish them to have fun. This is a message I’d like to give also to the coaches and to the parents: let your children get the chance to have fun with waterpolo. The HaBaWaBa International Festival will be an unique experience for your children’s lives.
