by Stefano Ambu

Twenty-five to thirty international competitions. Some have already concluded, such as ATP tennis which saw Lorenzo Sonego triumph twice in Cagliari. Others at the gates: the under-21 volleyball world championship between Cagliari and Carbonia. Others in progress: the youth sailing championships at Marina Piccola in Cagliari. Others still practically at the start: the stage, the only one in Italy, of the World padel tour scheduled from September 5 to 12 on the courts of the tennis club of Cagliari. Everything is on the program: from water sports to the motocross world championships in Riola on September 18 and 19.

This is the “Isola dello sport” program, presented this morning at Cagliari airport by the regional councilor for tourism Gianni Chessa. “Ours – he explained – is an investment which is then put to good use in terms of frequentation and full restaurants and hotels. Money which must bring well-being and work and which, if not ‘is not fully used as a success, unfortunately last year of the pandemic, so they have to be returned. And that’s a shame because opportunities for growth and economic recovery are being lost. ”The investment Chessa talks about is d ‘around 11.5 million euros, with the possibility of some adjustments and maybe even a few more appointments with the approval of the planned budget adjustment.

“During the planning, we were very attentive to the location of the events – specified the commissioner – covering all the regions of Sardinia as well as possible. But we have paid particular attention to the dates, with the clear aim of extending the season and bringing tourists to the so-called intermediate months. Sardinia can develop even beyond the summer. Isola di sport is an excellent intervention that can bring work even in traditionally weaker periods for tourism on the island. Of course, we will do an economic impact account. But what we are seeing these days is certainly encouraging. Just to give Cagliari an example thanks to two sporting events, these days it will go from 6,000 to 8,000 admissions. Even the Minister of Tourism Massimo Garavaglia said it: major sporting events are important to boost the sector ”.

September rich in events: sailing on the way, tomorrow begins the Cupra Fip star, a padel tournament that anticipates the World padel tour. And also tomorrow in Olbia the World Aquabike Championship will begin while Calangianus will host an international billiards tournament from 5. In Cagliari, on the other hand, the World Championship of offshore catamarans and the finals of the World Beach Championships volleyball. Between sailing, golf and padel, the Sporting Sardinia Cup event in Pula from September 10. And then again jujitsu, apnea, bodybuilding. In October we continue with the kite, the world junior championships in judo, duathlon, motorboat, pink race and triathlon. Conclusion in December again with the padel in Cagliari.

Even the happy Coni. “I can only express my satisfaction for this great commitment in sport – underlined the regional president Bruno Perra – are events which make the disciplines grow and give us visibility and economic profitability: the beauty of our land gives an added value “.

Satisfaction also on the part of the Federations. Football with regional president Gianni Cadoni. In padel with the national president Luigi Carraro: “We see it on social networks – he said – many big names who participated in the World padel tour a year ago have been spellbound by this land. And this summer they were here, from Alghero to Villasimius “.