All set for the eighth summer edition of the Trofeo CONI. From Thursday 21 to Sunday 24 September, the Ionian Coast of Basilicata is set to host the final phase of Italy’s largest sporting event for under-14s.

The Opening Ceremony scheduled for Thursday at 6 p.m. in Nova Siri Marina’s Piazza Prova d’Orchestra will officially mark the start of the ‘mini-Olympics,’ an event that promises to be a great show, organised this year by CONI Basilicata, led by President Leopoldo Desiderio, in collaboration with the CONI Territory Directorate, and in partnership with the Basilicata Region and municipalities throughout the Ionian area.

The Trofeo CONI is a multidisciplinary event that promotes sports practice among young people through the synergy of the entire sporting system and with the participation of numerous sports associations. The format, greatly desired by the Italian National Olympic Committee and well-received by all sporting bodies, is its main characteristic element, a forerunner of the gender equality that the IOC aims for at Olympic level.

The national Trofeo CONI finals mark the end of a journey initiated by the young people within their own Amateur Sports Associations and Societies in their Provinces and Regions and is, at the same time, an opportunity for growth in the name of sport. 4400 participants are expected in Basilicata, outnumbering those of previous editions: among the 35 National Sports Federations, FIPAV will return with 3vs3 beach volleyball, while in the 7 Associated Sports Disciplines, FIDAF will make its debut with flag football. Young athletes from Italian communities abroad in the United States, Brazil, Canada and Venezuela will also compete.

“The Trofeo, now in its eighth edition, is now a great success story, a winning gamble that began in Caserta in 2014,” explained CONI President Giovanni Malagò. “We will see healthy competitiveness and respect for the rules, and I am sure that this wonderful event, involving all regions, will remain in the hearts of the young people, athletes, companions and technicians.” President Malagò and CONI Vice-President Claudia Giordani will be present at the Opening Ceremony, which like the competitions and the Closing Ceremony will be broadcast on Italia Team TV, CONI’s OTT platform that for the first time will have four channels dedicated to the event.

The event, which for the first time will be hosted by Basilicata, will involve the local councils of Nova Siri, Policoro, Matera, Ferrandina, Bernalda, Pisticci, Scanzano Jonico, Rotondella, Senise and Marinella. These venues will decide the winning region of the 2023 edition of a Trofeo whose honours list features twin triumphs for Lazio (2014 and 2022), Piedmont (2015 and 2018) and Veneto (2016 and 2019). Lombardy is also on the list with a single win in 2017. The wait is about to end: the young athletes are all set to compete in the title battle.