HaBaWaBa has not changed

First day of tournaments in Lignano Sabbiadoro: the spirit of "the game of the ball in the water" has already conquered everyone

Goals, emotions, smiles. The images of HaBaWaBa International Festival and HaBaWaBa PLUS break in like a liberation for the kids who spent last two years waiting for those events, facing the hard conditions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic.  HaBaWaBa genericaThis year fewer teams arrived at Bella Italia & EFA Village than in the last editions, but the HaBaWaBa spirit reigns over the event stronger than ever: you can feel the kids’ desire to have fun, to be together, to play HaBaWaBa, the most joyful version of the game of waterpolo. The little athletes dart into the water, surprising their own coaches with liberating and technically stunning plays, while the U14 players are ready to give everything to win.  And the coaches... they are coaches: in a second they go from trance to anger for a wrong pass or a foul not whistled. But then they calm down again and you can see them showing their players a wrong movement, or congratulating for a save. It also rained today in Lignano Sabbiadoro, but the tournaments went on. It will not be few raindrops to stop HaBaWaBa. Not even the pandemic was able to do that.  

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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

Register for the festival.

Register
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