Staff Black Panthers Cup
The Black Panthers Cup, the youth basketball tournament on Lake Como, is back from 19 to 21 April. 70 teams and 1,000 athletes are expected from all over Italy and abroad. Sport, fun and the promotion of the area are at the heart of the event.
The Black Panthers Cup is back for its second edition: the international basketball tournament for boys and girls on Lake Como, held under the patronage of Regione Lombardia. The event was presented this afternoon at Palazzo Pirelli, exactly 30 days before it begins. The dates to mark on the calendar are Saturday 19, Sunday 20 and Monday 21 April: three days of great sport and shared passion.
After last year’s success, with as many as 300 athletes involved, the 2025 edition promises great excitement. More teams registered, a great many categories involved and ever-changing venues. We are aiming for 1,000 young players and at least 70 teams. The event starts on Saturday 19 April and ends on the evening of 21 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.
“I thank the organisers of this wonderful event,” said Federica Picchi, undersecretary for Sport and Youth. “It is an event that brings together boys and girls and speaks to young people about sport. I played sport when I was young and I am sure it can pass on the value of team and territory. The teamwork among the municipalities hosting the match days is also great to see. Sport is a matter of collective growth.”
“Sport is not just a moment of leisure for young people, it is a way of passing on values,” added regional councillor Giacomo Zamperini. “The Black Panthers Cup will also see young players from all over Italy and beyond take the court: among the entries so far, the Swiss club Lugano Tigers stands out, along with clubs from central Italy such as Uniobasket Maddaloni from Caserta and many delegations from Emilia.”
Fausto De Grada, Fip delegate for Lecco, also spoke at the presentation: “Costa is our guiding star in Lecco, the club that works hardest to involve the other clubs in the province. Our job is to steer kids away from bad influences, and occasions that bring people together help us encourage quality activities.”
Alongside Basket Costa, which directs the event, Basket Olginate, Basket Calolziocorte, Basket Pescate and Basket Robbiano are confirmed again. The number of gyms involved is growing too, thanks to the collaboration of the municipalities of Giussano, Nibionno, Rogeno, Merone, Civate and Malgrate. The event is also supported by the Province of Lecco. Boys and girls in the U13, U14, U15, U17 and U19 categories will take part in the three days of basketball.
“This tournament is aimed at the area and its promotion. The goal is to create a platform where kids can get to know each other and have fun. The rules keep the tournament lean and free of breaks. It is essential that it spreads across several areas, to get across the idea that unity is strength,” said Fabrizio Ranieri, president of Basket Costa. Edoardo Pogliaghi, head of the Olginate, Calolzio and Pescate youth sector, agreed: “It is a real pleasure to support Basket Costa.”
Alongside the sport there will be plenty of chances for fun and involvement for every category: from lunches in the gym to dinners with music. Special ingredients to give our young players a truly unique Easter weekend.
“A second edition with twice the numbers: it is an honour and a pleasure for me to be here. As a company we do research and development and we sponsor quality events like this one. The goal is to get kids off their phones and up off the sofa,” concluded Eugenio Ceravolo, National Account Manager at Wilson.
Also attending were Laura Di Terlizzi, mayor of Nibionno, Sabina Panzeri, mayor of Costamasnaga, Lorenzo Lazzarin, councillor of Annone, and Andrea Vanossi, councillor of Merone.
“I had no doubt there would be a second edition like this. Seeing the kids play and have fun is something exceptional,” concluded Panzeri.
A lovely group photo followed, together with two players from the Costamasnaga first team, Elisabetta Penz and Osazuwa Cristina.
