HaBaWaBa: Egypt’s the new powerhouse, Sodic U10 is champion!

The walls of the Bella Italia & EFA Village Olympic pool in Lignano Sabbiadoro were really about to collapse tonight, hit by the irrepressible passion of Sodic Sports Club, which won the HaBaWaBa International Festival in the U10 category for the first time, thanks to their Club S1 team. In the final game the little Egyptians defeated not just any opponent, but the Pecsi U10 team, one of Hungary's most prestigious waterpolo academies, which had won the same category in 2019.

The final score of 11-4 confirms Egypt's exceptional progress in grassroots waterpolo: a year ago New Giza Sports Club triumphed in U10. Egypt, then, remains king of the HaBaWaBa baby category. And the future is bright: in the other Sodic team, Club S2, we’ve seen a very talented goalie, Youssef Ahmed Ashraf: we’ll hear about him again. At the final siren, the public watched the burst of joy by the Cairo fans, who first dived into the pool and then continued outside the celebration, keeping singing and dancing. A kind of spectacle we have rarely seen at HaBaWaBa, an amazing show. In the U10 agre group category, French CN Marseille and Italian Onda Blu got the 3rd place: we’re talking of both the two clubs that have been at the highest level in the HaBaWaBa world for years. The champions of Sodic Sports Club S1, winners of U10 tournament at HaBaWaBa International Festival 2023: Hamza Aref, Seif Borhaneldin, Omar Darwish, Yassin Elahl, Mourad Eldreny, Selim Ghorab, Selim Gohar, Hassan Karam, Ashraf Nazim, Mansour Osaman, Raphael Teriak. All. Mohamed Abougabal

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Common questions

What is the HaBaWaBa International Festival?

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.

All questions