Cufino: “HaBaWaBa is a game, we aim to more matches in 2023”
WPD President about next summer events: "Competition remains at the heart of our project, we will do everything to increase the number of games"
HaBaWaBa is a way to grow, learn, build children’s character. Little waterpolo players achieve those goals by being together, side by side, during the week of the HaBaWaBa International Festival, HaBaWaBa PLUS and the new HaBaWaBa ExtraPLUS. However sport always remains at the heart of our project: through the competition in the water, the little athletes learn to manever, invent and fight while respecting their opponent and the rules. The universal lesson of sport is learned especially when the ball is in play.
Bruno Cufino, President of Waterpolo Development.
"That's the reason why allowing little waterpolo players to play as many games as possible during the HaBaWaBa events is absolutely essential - says Bruno Cufino, Waterpolo Development President. “After overcoming the coronavirus pandemic, which seriously threatened to undermine what we had built over the past 15 years and the very future of world waterpolo at all levels, we rolled up our sleeves. Nevertheless a shortage of resources in a landscape of cost increases, in the last two years we have done everything in our power to save the HaBaWaBa project. Now it’s time to restart its development, improving our events and accept input coming from the HaBaWaBa community. The basic demand coming from the grassroots is ‘let us play, play, play’. To this end, we are working hard to increase as much as possible the number of games that each team will play in our events, without compromising the quality of the competitions and respecting logistics issues such as the use of the pools and time available”.
“The organizational effort in which Waterpolo Development is engaged these days is maximum - Cufino states - we want to bring the ‘game of the ball in the water’ back to the center of HaBaWaBa events, without forgetting the other recreational and educational activities designed for the little athletes outside the pool”.TRANSFERS BY NEW DEALS VENICE. Meanwhile, HaBaWaBa 2023 events will be feature by an important logistical innovation. Tour operator New Deals Venice will take care of transfers between airports or train stations and Bella Italia & EFA Village in Lignano Sabbiadoro, which is the venue for HaBaWaBa events: clubs needing to arrange their own transfers can send an e-mail to info@newdealsvenice.it.DATES. HaBaWaBa International Festival 2023 is reserved to mixed teams belonging to U10 and U12 age group categories and it will take place on June, from 18-25. HaBaWaBa PLUS (for mixed U13 teams) is scheduledon June 25-July 2. HaBaWaBa ExtraPLUS will be on September, from 3 to 8.Visit HaBaWaBa.com for further informations.
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.
