The event organized by the Unione Sportiva Levico Terme was presented to the press today in Trento in the welcoming Sala Belli of the Palazzo della Provincia Autonoma of Trento, where the exciting news of the fourth edition were unveiled. “A tournament that excites – Sandro Beretta, President of US Levico Terme, commented at the opening – the best clubs in Europe and the great world of amateur clubs, who get to meet thanks to our event and share the values that characterize the Pulcino d’Oro: sports, children and solidarity.”
In tune with a tournament that is increasingly expanding its borders, the solidarity project this year will also have an international connotation. “In the joyous atmosphere that characterizes the tournament, we wanted to bring all the participating sports clubs together into one big team, which donates the membership fees to charity. – added Beretta – In 2016, the proceeds were handed over to Giovanni Galli, the former goalkeeper of the Italian national team, to support the non-profit organization which honors his son Niccolò, while last year they were used to host the team of Atletico Sibillini from Amandola, a town hit hard by earthquake. This year, the registration fees will be donated to the “Center Effatà Ludovic Pavoni”, located in Saaba of Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso, an initiative of the Congregation of the Sons of Mary Immaculate (Pavonians) for deaf children. We have direct contact with this center and the funds raised will contribute to the creation of a multidisciplinary sports center: an aid for the less fortunate children – with sports, and not just football in this case, as an instrument of education and socialization”.
Many developments come along with this edition, among which the welcoming of girls’ teams, thanks to the presence of the female formations of Inter and Leeds, not forgetting the Pulcino Village, which will be launched in the welcoming Camping Village of Levico Terme and will host all 36 registered amateur teams. Confirmed once again, the innovative formula of the tournament was created by Renzo Merlino, the President of the Organizing Committee, who this year has included “shoot outs” for each of the 336 matches in the program. “An additional technical and entertaining element – Merlino explained – which will hit over 7000 over the four days of the event”.
The tournament will open on the afternoon of Thursday June 14 with the initial rounds necessary to determine the four heads of the series, who will then be added to the twelve who have already been assigned to professional clubs. The matches will take place on the fields of Roncegno, Borgo Valsugana, Calceranica and Caldonazzo.
Friday the 15th means fun for the participants and the colorful opening ceremony, while Saturday the 16th is dedicated to the orientation rounds, preceding the final phase scheduled for Sunday at the sports center of Levico Terme with the eight final rounds, named Pulcino d’Oro (Golden Chick), the Pulcino d’Argento (Silver Chick), the Pulcino di Bronzo (Bronze Chick), the Pulcino Gialloblù (Yellow-Blue Chick) and the four rounds of the Pulcino Arcobaleno (Rainbow Chick – Red, white, blue and green).
The success of the tournament, beyond the generosity of the organization, can also be attributed to the work done by the world of volunteering. “The Pulcino d’Oro has become the patrimony of the community – explained Andrea Pasini, the Vice President of the Organizing Committee – Over 200 volunteers collaborate with us, essential for setting up and securing the playgrounds and allowing the kitchen and restaurant to work better. We also have 40 referees and hostesses from the Marie Curie Institute and the Barco Oratory, who follow and accompany the teams during all four days of the tournament, without forgetting the other local companies and organizations”.
The Pulcino d’Oro can also count on the important support of the institutions, first and foremost the Autonomous Province of Trento. “I have supported this event since I was first introduced to it four years ago – said Tiziano Mellarini, the Provincial Sports Councilor – In the age group of the participants, technique of play is not just metabolized, but also respect for the rules, companions and opponents. There is no sports growth without cultural growth, and this is the strength of the Pulcino d’Oro “.
“Trentino hosts many international events, including World Cups – added Maurizio Rossini, the Director of Trentino Marketing – the Pulcino d’Oro, unlike other events, was born in the territory. The idea and the format are our heritage, a strong value that generates pride in the community “.
Mellarini and Rossini echoed the speeches of Provincial Councilor Gianpiero Passamani, who spoke of “a large family of volunteers supported by the competences of the organizing committee”, while the Mayor of Levico Terme Michele Sartori underlined: “the Pulcino d’Oro is a performance that remains imprinted in the mind “.
The new image of the Pulcino d’Oro will also be impressed, a work of art by the professional cartoonist Alessandro Costa and presented by Elisa Oss, Marketing Manager of the event, as well as the new trophy, a unique piece made by Mastro 7, the Trentino goldsmith-artisan.