Under the banner of sport, Lazio celebrated a win at the eighth edition of the Trofeo CONI, which concluded today in Nova Siri, Basilicata. In the most important multisport under-14 event in Italy, the young athletes of the Regional Committee led by Riccardo Viola replicated the triumph in last year’s edition, leaping to the top of the all-time standings with three overall victories (the 2014 and 2022 wins were already in the trophy cabinet) and edging away from Piedmont (2015 and 2018), Veneto (2016 and 2019) and Lombardy (2017).

But the Trofeo staged on the Ionian Coast of Basilicata was a very balanced one, won by Lazio with 116 points, ahead of Sicily (107) and Apulia (104) and with no fewer than three Regions on 103 points: Emilia Romagna fourth, Lombardy fifth and Piedmont sixth (ranking decided by individual placings).

In the closing ceremony, which began with a minute’s silence in memory of President Emeritus of the Republic, Giorgio Napolitano, the first to speak was CONI Basilicata President Leopoldo Desiderio. “It was a challenge,” he stressed. “We worked for 3-4 months, and it’s great to see these young people who put their hearts and souls into the event. I will always remember this Trofeo CONI, it remains in my heart. I say thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Representing CONI Nazionale was Vice President Claudia Giordani: “Enthusiasm, smiles, sportsmanship. President Malagò congratulates all of you,” she said, addressing the more than 4,000 young people who competed in the disciplines of 35 National Sports Federations and 7 Associated Sports Disciplines. “You were the protagonists of a wonderful edition of the Trofeo CONI, with so many participants and so many disciplines. Thank you to Basilicata, the Institutions, the Region and the municipalities that hosted us. We have visited enchanting places that are rich in history. Thanks to federations, bodies and associated disciplines. To the technicians, to all those who collaborated in the organisation, to the Regional Committee, to CONI and to all of you who are here today. You have had a full-fledged Olympic experience. Continue your commitment to sport and keep this experience in your hearts.”

Proclaiming the winning committee out of the 21 participants, as well as representatives of the Italian Communities Abroad from Brazil, Canada, the United States and Venezuela, was CONI Territory Department Director Cecilia D’Angelo. “The important thing is not winning – it’s taking part,” she stressed in her speech, “but this is a moment that is always highly anticipated by everyone.”

The winner was once again Lazio, but this eighth edition of the Trofeo CONI also proved to be a celebration of sports, under the banner of friendship. And while Basilicata bids farewell to the Trofeo and all its young participants, the expectations and the sights are already set on Veneto, host of the next edition.

Photo Simone Ferraro and Luca Pagliaricci