Waterpolo Development signed an agreement with Mindset company: on December Somabay will host the first African stage of the “game of the ball in the water"
HaBaWaBa becomes even more global and lands in Africa for the first time. Thanks to the agreement signed between Waterpolo Development and the Egyptian company Mindset For Sport Development, HaBaWaBa Egypt is born: the event will further expand the borders of the HaBaWaBa International Circuit, bringing for the first time “the game of the ball in the water” to the continent which was the cradle of civilization.
Ratko Rudic, Ezz Nour and Fouad Luxor sealing the deal for HaBaWaBa Egypt. Above, from left to right: Zanatta, Cufino, Rudic, Nour, Luxor e Giannouris (ph. Giacomello).
The 1st edition of HaBaWaBa Egypt will be held from December 18 to 22, 2025 in Somabay, a magnificent venue on the Red Sea, also chosen in the past by World Aquatics to host the beach waterpolo World Championships: HaBaWaBa will take place in the Somabay Sports Arena, a cutting-edge facility for aquatic disciplines, while the teams will accomodate in the comfortable Kaktus Hotel. Further details will be revealed in the coming weeks.
The signing ceremony took place this morning during the HaBaWaBa International Festival at the Bella Italia & EFA Village in Lignano Sabbiadoro: Waterpolo Development was represented by President Bruno Cufino and councillors Ratko Rudic, Yiannis Giannouris and Emanuele Zanatta; Chairman Ezz Nour and Founder and Management Partner Fouad Luxor signed for Mindset For Sport Development.
“We’ve been looking for this long time we see the hype of HaBaWaBa - Mr. Luxor said -, it’s not only about waterpolo: it’s about the development of young athletes through international experience and exposure”.
“Waterpolo had a great impact on my personal development - Mr. Nour added - the sport has a very strong and growing community, that helps young atheletes in developing a strong character and an athlete’s mindset".
“Waterpolo Development’s mission is to improve and develop waterpolo in the world, so for us this agreement is a very huge step - WPD President Cufino said -. Egypt is a big country, it has many kids that plays good waterpolo and it’s important they meet other little players coming from other nations. We’re very happy with this agreement and we hope that Egypt national waterpolo team will soon participate in major international waterpolo competitions” (complete interviews in the video above).
Egyptian teams are no strangers to HaBaWaBa glory. They've consistently brought incredible talent to the international stage, with four clubs—Heliopolis, Gezira Sports Club, New Giza Sports Club, and Sodic Sports Club—sending a whopping 13 teams to the current Festival. And let's not forget the history-makers: New Giza snagged the first-ever Egyptian gold medal at the HaBaWaBa International Festival in 2022, dominating the U10 tournament, with Sodic following suit in 2023.
Get ready for an electrifying new chapter in water polo history! HaBaWaBa – Somabay Egypt is set to be an absolute game-changer!
About Mindset: With a deep understanding of global sports ecosystems, Mindset combines strategic insight with hands-on execution, working closely with visionary partners (destination developers, sports federations, and corporate brands) to develop sports destination strategies that elevate the role of sports tourism, economic development, and cultural exchange.About Somabay: Somabay is an exclusive Red Sea resort in Egypt. Just a 4-hour flight from Central Europe, with year-round sunshine and mild temperatures, Somabay offers vacationers an ideal Red Sea holiday. The resort location boasts some of the sandiest beaches of the Red Sea and panoramic views of desert mountains and blue skies. Luxury hotels, Gary Player championship golf course, a Holistic Spa & Thalasso centre, a diving and kite surfing centre all make Somabay the ideal place for relaxation and recreation.
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.
“Waterpolo Development’s mission is to improve and develop waterpolo in the world, so for us this agreement is a very huge step - WPD President Cufino said -. Egypt is a big country, it has many kids that plays good waterpolo and it’s important they meet other little players coming from other nations. We’re very happy with this agreement and we hope that Egypt national waterpolo team will soon participate in major international waterpolo competitions” (complete interviews in the video above).
Egyptian teams are no strangers to HaBaWaBa glory. They've consistently brought incredible talent to the international stage, with four clubs—Heliopolis, Gezira Sports Club, New Giza Sports Club, and Sodic Sports Club—sending a whopping 13 teams to the current Festival. And let's not forget the history-makers: New Giza snagged the first-ever Egyptian gold medal at the HaBaWaBa International Festival in 2022, dominating the U10 tournament, with Sodic following suit in 2023.
Get ready for an electrifying new chapter in water polo history! HaBaWaBa – Somabay Egypt is set to be an absolute game-changer!
About Mindset: With a deep understanding of global sports ecosystems, Mindset combines strategic insight with hands-on execution, working closely with visionary partners (destination developers, sports federations, and corporate brands) to develop sports destination strategies that elevate the role of sports tourism, economic development, and cultural exchange.
About Somabay: Somabay is an exclusive Red Sea resort in Egypt. Just a 4-hour flight from Central Europe, with year-round sunshine and mild temperatures, Somabay offers vacationers an ideal Red Sea holiday. The resort location boasts some of the sandiest beaches of the Red Sea and panoramic views of desert mountains and blue skies. Luxury hotels, Gary Player championship golf course, a Holistic Spa & Thalasso centre, a diving and kite surfing centre all make Somabay the ideal place for relaxation and recreation.
