HaBaWaBa 2026: Ema and Francesco are the Golden Babies!
The Golden Girl is a 7-year-old Croatian wing from KPK, the Golden Boy comes from Italian Onda Blu Dalmine and is even younger: “We love teamwork”
If you know how to swim and want to play, it’s never too early to join HaBaWaBa. This is the message behind the Golden Girl and Golden Boy, the awards that the HaBaWaBa International Festival presents to the youngest players of the event.
Ema Zukic.
The 2026 Golden Girl is Ema Zukic, a young champion from KPK — the historic Croatian club from the island of Korčula that has produced a great number of talents — led this year in Lignano by coach Frano Radovanovic.
Ema was born on November 14, 2018, and started playing a year ago. She also practices swimming at her club, “but I like waterpolo more”, she says. The reason? “Being together with myfriends”. And, like any good wing, after teamwork there is only one thing that matters: "Scoring goals!”.
Francesco Bai.
The 2026 Golden Boy, on the other hand, is Italian and even younger: his name is Francesco Bai, born on March 8, 2019. He lives in Levate, in the province of Bergamo, and plays for the Nanetti of Onda Blu Dalmine, a club from Lombardia that is a constant presence at the HaBaWaBa International Festival.
Francesco is a modern goalkeeper, perfect for contemporary waterpolo: “Every now and then I play in attack, but I like being in the cage”, he tells us. He started playing a year ago, diving into the pool and immediately grabbing the ball. Despite being highly energetic — to put it mildly — Francesco is behaving like a true athlete at HaBaWaBa: “He is the most disciplined of the team”, says coach Gabriella Roberti. With one single exception: “I like playing pranks on my teammates”, the little goalkeeper confesses. And rightly so — otherwise, what's the fun in being part of a team?
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.
