Staff Black Panthers Cup
The Black Panthers Cup is the first edition of the international youth basketball tournament for boys and girls on Lake Como. Around 300 young players from several Italian regions will take part in three days dedicated to youth basketball.
Black Panthers Cup is the first edition of the international youth basketball tournament for boys and girls on Lake Como.
Around 300 young players from several Italian regions will take part in three days dedicated to youth basketball. The event starts on Saturday 30 March and ends on the evening of 1 April with the awards ceremony, hosted in Olginate.
The beauty and uniqueness of the provinces of Como and Lecco are the ideal setting for this international youth basketball event. It works with the municipalities and local communities, involving them in an event that celebrates the culture, art, food and traditions of our area. The Black Panthers Cup is a symbol of our region’s pride and an opportunity to show the world the riches we have to offer.
This first edition was presented this afternoon in the council chamber of Costa Masnaga.
“We are proud to launch this sporting experiment. Basket Costa is a club known nationwide, and now we like the idea of recognising a shared set of values to promote the area. May sport be a driving force for sporting values and for the territory,” explained Sabina Panzeri, mayor of Costa Masnaga.
The event is held under the patronage of Regione Lombardia, which has always supported worthwhile initiatives for young people and the area.
“It is really important to talk to young people of this age,” confirmed regional councillor Giacomo Zamperini. “Not only about sporting merit: this is an age group marked by the fragilities that have built up over the past few years. Sport helps them come out of their shell and shows that these kids can push past their limits. I played this wonderful sport myself, and you carry those emotions in your heart as an adult too.”
Turning to the tournament itself, Basket Costa and Basket Olginate are among the promoters of this fine initiative.
“This project was born from the collaboration of a few local figures, keen to bring together passion, basketball and an event over the Easter holidays. Thank you to Basket Olginate for accepting our invitation,” added Fabrizio Ranieri, general manager of Basket Costa.
Young people take centre stage for Fip Lombardia too. “The youth sector and its development are our goal. This year, with the new ‘promotional’ championship tier, we have widened the base. We will work on women’s basketball and on referees. 90% of our resources go to young people,” said president Giorgio Maggi.
The speeches were closed by the main sponsor, Wilson Italia Team sport. “We are happy to stand alongside this project and we expect a great event,” said Eugenio Ceravolo. “Wilson is a leader in sports equipment, and in this case we are here with the basketball. Athletes only reach the top levels if they have the chance to fall in love with the game and live experiences like this one. I hope this is the first of many editions.”
