A new record for HaBaWaBa Brasil
The 5th edition of the event in Bauru joined by 910 kids and 70 teams from Brazil, Chile, Peru, Uruguay. ABDA won both U11 and U13 competitions
From Lignano Sabbiadoro to Bauru, HaBaWaBa never ceases to produce emotions, joy, fun, memories. A further proof of the power of the “game of the ball in the water” in order to unite people and make them passionate about waterpolo comes from the 5th edition of HaBaWaBa Brasil, the event once again organized by ABDA, a non-profit association partner of Waterpolo Development that, after having participated for years in the HaBaWaBa International Festival in Lignano (the largest event for children in the world of waterpolo) in 2020 brought HaBaWaBa to South America.
The 2024 Bauru event has retained its playful and colorful soul, but has further expanded the number of participants. The 5th one, which ended yesterday, was a record edition. Such as 910 little waterpolo players, 210 coaches and 70 teams coming from 4 countries participated in HaBaWaBa Brasil 2024: Chile, Peru, Uruguay and of course Brazil. In fact, HaBaWaBa Brasil 2024 was the largest HaBaWaBa event ever held outside of Italy. It was a resounding outcome for an event created with the aim of spreading the values of civil coexistence among kids and creating a deep bond between them and waterpolo, in a continent where historically this sport does not boast a great tradition. The success is even more evident if we compare the numbers to those of the 1st edition: in December 2020, still in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, HaBaWaBa Brasil had 14 teams at the starting line.
Three tournaments were organized in the splendid ABDA Arena facility, all of them were won by the home team: ABDA Black Panther triumphed in the U11 mixed category, ABDA Bauru in the U13 boys’ category and ABDA Women in the U13 girls’ category. The Fair Play Trophies went to the Peruvians of Campo de Marte (U11) and ABDA Flash (U13). Marcela Araujo Doria, a little waterpolo player from Gremio Vila Parahyba born on April 16th, 2016, was awarded the trophy for the youngest participant of the event.
ABDA also deserves credit for having once again organized particularly stimulating collateral activities for kids and coaches. During the event, the teams were able to hold boxing and percussion clinics in the event arena itself, which also had inflatable toys and other games available. In addition, the children were given guided tours of the Fire Station and the BAEP (the Brazilian special police, ndr) headquarters. For the coaches, a workshop was offered with Rudá Franco, sponsor of the event, and Paula Bittencourt, on the evolution of the Rudá Franco Method (MRF) of teaching children water polo, developed by them. The MRF even brought an under-11 team to participate in the event.
Waterpolo Development can only congratulate ABDA for the success of HaBaWaBa Brasil and invite the little waterpolo players overseas to the next event in 2025, when the fun of the “game of the ball in the water” will once again spread into the whole of South America.
Three tournaments were organized in the splendid ABDA Arena facility, all of them were won by the home team: ABDA Black Panther triumphed in the U11 mixed category, ABDA Bauru in the U13 boys’ category and ABDA Women in the U13 girls’ category. The Fair Play Trophies went to the Peruvians of Campo de Marte (U11) and ABDA Flash (U13). Marcela Araujo Doria, a little waterpolo player from Gremio Vila Parahyba born on April 16th, 2016, was awarded the trophy for the youngest participant of the event.
ABDA also deserves credit for having once again organized particularly stimulating collateral activities for kids and coaches. During the event, the teams were able to hold boxing and percussion clinics in the event arena itself, which also had inflatable toys and other games available. In addition, the children were given guided tours of the Fire Station and the BAEP (the Brazilian special police, ndr) headquarters. For the coaches, a workshop was offered with Rudá Franco, sponsor of the event, and Paula Bittencourt, on the evolution of the Rudá Franco Method (MRF) of teaching children water polo, developed by them. The MRF even brought an under-11 team to participate in the event.
Waterpolo Development can only congratulate ABDA for the success of HaBaWaBa Brasil and invite the little waterpolo players overseas to the next event in 2025, when the fun of the “game of the ball in the water” will once again spread into the whole of South America.
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