Paralympic table football, great enthusiasm in Messina for the Italian Cup and Italian Championship finals

Paralympic table football, great enthusiasm in Messina for the Italian Cup and Italian Championship finals.

The competitive season of Italian Paralympic Table Football Federation (FPICB) closed on the weekend of December 1st to 3rd with many activities hosted at Messina. In the Sicilian city, in fact, the names of the winners emerged - at the end of a close battle - of the Italian Cup and the Italian Championship, organized by Mediterranea Events, with the participation and patronage of Cmunicipality of Messina.

The verdicts – which emerged from PalaRussello – expressed the victory (in the Pro singles) of Domenico Smario (Mocrini Linus), beating Daniele Riga (Abr IlCalbioBalilla) in the final. Last step of the podium for Roberto Silvestro (POLHA-VARESE Sports Association for the Disabled). In the Pro doubles, they triumphed Daniele Riga (Abr Uzzo) – Luigi Iannone (ASD PowerSport Basilicata) ahead of Vito Loris Bonaldo – Francesco Perin (La Barena) and the pair formed by Francesco Valente (Calcio Balilla Sport) and Lorin Bagdasar (POLHA-VARESE Sports Association for the Disabled). In the semi-pro class, the new Italian champions are Gianluca Vuodo – (ASD PowerSport Basilicata) e Lorin Bagdasar (POLHA-VARESE Sports Association for the Disabled). Seconds Luciano Gigante – Enzo Bonvissuto (POLHA-VARESE Sports Association for the Disabled) while in third place Francesco Vento – Dino De Leo (Mediterranea Eventi).

For the men's Italian Cup triumph of Riga – Iannone, in front of De Florio – Silvestro and Smario – Rotino. Among women Alessia Rundo (Mediterranea Eventi) beat Teresa Adduce (PowerSport Basilicata). Rundo then managed to give an encore in the Italian Championship too. The awards were preceded by notes played by the Aosta Brigade band.

Furthermore, on Friday morning, the inclusion project also came to an end ALL TOGETHER “OSO VODAFONE FOUNDATION & FOUNDATION WITH THE SOUTH” which involved various schools. The interscholastic tournament ended with the “Nino Martoglio” Institute of Belpasso climbing to the top step of the podium. Second place for the "Pietro Piazza" of Palermo, while in third place the "Scelsa" Institute of Palermo and in fourth place the "Garibaldi" Institute of Enna and the "Terzo" of Milazzo.

«The assessment that I can draw up at the end of this three intense days is absolutely fantastic - commented Francesco Bonanno, president of the FPICB –. I must congratulate the organizers and thank the municipal administration which supported this initiative which was a real success, in terms of participation of athletes (about fifty, ed.) and the public. Here in Messina we met new friends." Then analyzing the sporting results, Bonanno underlined how new faces managed to get on the podium: "it is very pleasing to see new promises and new talents, this shows how our movement is constantly growing".

In Sicily, on the occasion of World Disability Rights Day, a DIR demonstration tournament was also organized, with the announcement of the winner, namely the Pro Sport Ravanusa team.

Satisfaction also on the part of the organizers which we find in the words of Alfredo Finanza, president of Mediterranea Eventi: «We are proud and honored to have been chosen by the Federation for the final stage of the season. We hope that it is the beginning of a long journey to undertake together. I thank all the staff, partners, volunteers and obviously the municipal administration. We created a team game that worked perfectly."

The event took place with the collaboration of the Italian Paralympic Committee, ITSF and USacli and with the support of SuperAbile Inail, Inail, ErreaPro, Roberto Sport, Handytech, OffCarr and Autonomy. Local partners of the initiative were AISM Sicilia, Triptop, Autoscuola Urso, New Delta, Orso in Duomo, Eureka, Explorer Informatica, Lustru 'I Luna, Birrificio Messina, Cuppari Service and ANGLAT Messina.