Croatia Premier Plenkovic at HaBaWaBa: "It's good for waterpolo"
During the 2025 edition, Croatian Prime Minister visited the Festival to follow his son Mario playing for Mladost and talk to Ratko Rudic
Andrej Plenkovic, Prime Minister of Croatia, is the first premier to visit HaBaWaBa. It happened during the 2025 edition: Plenkovic arrived at Bella Italia & EFA Village in Lignano Sabbiadoro to watch the game of Mladost U11 team, which his son Mario plays in, and to have a chat with his friend Ratko Rudic, co-founder of HaBaWaBa and councillor of Waterpolo Development.
"I'm here as a waterpolo fan and also as a father. HaBaWaBa is a great event, I really appreciate what HaBaWaBa does for the popularity of waterpolo, bringing so many young players, their parents and coaches and all those who support this sport with great enthusiasm. The Croatian teams here? KPK is one of our most famous teams, with a great tradition in Korcula, I know that last year, when the kids came back after winning HaBaWaBa, there was a big celebration on the island". Andrej Plenkovic talking with Ratko Rudic during HaBaWaBa 2025 (ph. Giacomello).
The biggest youth water polo event in the world: for U9, U11 and U13, held every year in Lignano Sabbiadoro (UD) and drawing teams from five continents.
When is the next Festival?
From 13 to 20 June the week for U9 and U11, from 20 to 27 June the week for U13.
Do boys and girls play together?
U9 and U11 tournaments include girls’, boys’ and mixed teams. The U13 event is split into a girls-only tournament and one for boys-only or mixed teams.
How do you enter the Festival?
Open the page of the event for your team (U9-U11 or U13) and follow the Registration Guide: it contains the information, duties, costs and deadlines. A club can enter more than one team in a single tournament.
Where do teams stay during the Festival?
Teams, made up of players, coaches and officials, all stay inside Bella Italia & EFA Village. Parents, family and supporters travelling with the team can enter the village by paying admission.
What is the Champion’s Passport?
It is a code of ethics: the values of sport to respect in order to be part of the HaBaWaBa community.
What is the aim of the HaBaWaBa project?
To spread the values of sport among children and create a deep bond with water polo through an unforgettable experience.
