Messina hosted three major events of the Italian Paralympic Football Federation (Federazione Paralimpica Italiana Calcio Balilla).

Three major events

The city of Messina hosted a major Paralympic sports event for the second time. At the PalaRescifina in the city of Messina, three major events of the Italian Paralympic Football Federation (FPICB) were staged: the Absolute Italian Championship, the Italian Cup and the Dir. Tournament.The event è was convened by the federation and organized by Mediterranea Eventi with the co-participation of the City of Messina.

The three-day event è opened with the execution of the anthem by the Musical Band of the Aosta Mechanized Brigade Command, in the presence of the mayor of Messina Federico Basile, the councillor for sports Massimo Finocchiaro, CIP Messina provincial delegate Francesco Giorgio and AISM national councilor Angelo La Via, as well as FPICB president Francesco Bonanno.

Numerous verdicts were rendered, starting with the Italian women’s absolute singular title, specialità RNU and ITSF, won by Angelita Alles of the Polha Varese club who beat Maria Luigia Civili of Gli Audaci Roma in the final. For the two athletes also the right to participate in the first Women’s Paralympic World Table Football Championships scheduled in Zaragoza, Spain, June 23-25, 2025. The Italian Men’s Absolute Italian Championship Open doubles category, specialità RNU and ITSF mixed classifications, goes to Daniele Riga and Domenico Smario, followed on the podium by Corrado Montecaggi and Luigi Iannone, while in third place the Mediterranea Eventi pair formed by Dino De Leo and Daniele Costantino. In the ITSF Doubles victory for Daniele Riga and Domenico Smario, second place for Luigi Iannone and Corrado Montecaggi, and third place for Roberto Silvestro and Paolo De Florio. In the men’s singles specialità RNU and ITSF classification TS1 victory for Roberto Silvestro, followed by home athletes Daniele Costantino and Massimo Chiappini. The men’s single specialità RNU classification goes to Cristian Guizzardi, second place for Francesco Valente and third place for Vito Loris Bonaldo. In the men’s singles specialità ITSF classification TS2 gold medal for Francesco Valente, silver for Gianpaolo Rossi, bronze for Mediterranean Events athlete Francesco Vento. The men’s singles specialità RNU and ITSF classification TS3 was won by Daniele Riga, followed by Corrado Montecaggi and Luigi Iannone.

In the Italian Cup success for the pair composed of Paolo De Florio and Daniele Riga of the Pohla Varese – Abruzzo Miltisport team ahead of Rotino-Smario (ASD In Movimento di Leonforte). Last step of the podium for the Silvestro-Sonza pair (Pohla Varese).

During the three-day event in Messina è there was also the DIR Tournament won by the pair composed of Cristina De Michele and Giuseppe Spadaro who beat the duo Stabile-Ervini in the final. Third place for the Callari-Farrugio pair.

Also this year in Messina was held the ceremony for the awarding of the Homino d’oro, an award conceived by President Francesco Bonanno to honor athletes, technicians and managers who have contributed to the growth of the Paralympic foosball movement. The 2024 awardees were: Alfredo Finanze (president Mediterranea Eventi), Mirko Ferri (FPICB executive), Paolo De Florio (FPICB athlete), Domenico Smario (FPICB athlete), Teresa Franco and Marco Magnani (FPICB referee).

“We introduced the new functional classification and we really saw that regardless of disabilities; we were able to award titles to everyone in their own class with moreover two specialties; international and national RNU regulation – commented a satisfied Bonanno at the end of the event -. This è the turning point in the world of table soccer becauseé it will make us grow and allowé new athletes to approach this discipline. We have many new ideas to take foosball to the highest level”. 

“I would like to thank the city of Messina and the mayor who allowed us to organize this important event and above all we will give other important pages of Paralympic table soccer sports”, added Bonanno announcing the donation of 14 other tables to Messina’s candidacy as a stage for the World Table Football Championship in 2026.
“With great enthusiasm – commented the first citizen Federico Basile – we officially announce that our cityà will host a prestigious stage of the International Paralympic Table Football Championship in 2026”.

Space was also given to the’Challenge the Champion event where many fans and curious people challenged the champions Walter Sampieri, Marco Bertelli and President Bonanno.

To involve students and promote this discipline è the “Interscholastic Tournament of Table Football Cityà of Messina” was also organized. Among the secondary school institutes: first place for Renato Laganà, Maya Cettina La Motta, Teresa Amelia Pasquale of the’IC Ugo Foscolo of Taormina; second place for Andrea Quartuccio, Gaia Liardo, Giuseppe Ilardo of the’IC Elio Vittorini of Messina; and third place for Andrea Lo Faro, Andrea Scandura, Gioele Berenato of the’IC Elio Vittorini of Messina. In the tournament reserved for secondary schools, Giuseppe Consolo, Aurora Morano, Davide Spanò of the ISS Felice Bisazza of Messina prevailed; silver medal for Andrea Bonsangue, Cristiano Bonarrigo, Michele D’Amico of the IIS Maurolico of Messina and third place for Andrea Sciavicco, Francesco Pacino of the ISS Felice Bisazza of Messina.

The event è was organized thanks to the support of partners (Superabile INAIL, RobertoSport, OFFCar, Autonomy, Studio3A, Handytech, Omnia Eventi, KiFra Comunicazione&Eventi) and Institutional local partners (AISM Sicilia,  Triptop Tour Operator, LustruILuna, Anglat Messina, New Delta, Birrificio Messina, Eureka Office).