Extraordinary event in Ogliastra with the participation of 20 national teams and 250 athletes
CAGLIARI. The conference room of the Regional Tourism Department yesterday hosted the presentation of the XXXII edition of the World Spearfishing Championship. The event, included in the Cmas calendar (World Confederation of Underwater Activities) is part of the major events sponsored by the Region and is held in Arbatax (Tortolì) from tomorrow 16th until 19th September. Twenty-seven national teams take part in the event – which returns to Italy after thirty-two years – including seven women’s teams. For the first time, the Women title is up for grabs. The Italian team includes the islanders Christian Corrias and Dario Maccioni, from Cagliari, Gian Franco Loi (Terralba) and Cinzia Cara (Giba).
Sardinia in the shop window. In his speech, the regional councilor for tourism, Gianni Chessa underlined that “the world championships are not only an excellent event that extends the season. But they allow us to bounce the images of our land in half the world. We have invested 270 thousand euros and the projections say that there will be a direct and induced turnover of one and a half million in the Tortolì area. Let’s talk about regulated fishing, respecting our natural wonders. Sardinia continues its promotion march with major events even in the seasonal “shoulder” periods: Since December we have over thirty international events on the bill “
“The races have strict rules _ adds Simone Mingoia, general manager of the organizing committee of the world championship _, we carefully cultivate environmental sustainability and respect for nature. In the territory we have operated in perfect synchrony with public bodies and associations. The title? I think Italy can compete for the podium but, being in the Mediterranean, Greece and Spain are also very popular ”.
“Sardinia is the perfect region, also for its capable organization and excellent relations with public administrations, for our discipline, we would like to be able to plan another event shortly” explains Carlo Allegrini, president of the fishing and underwater activities sector of the Italian Federation.
“We are proud to host the elite of spearfishing specialists. From mid-August the delegations have been guests in our area, a good message for the promotion of the territory and of activities related to tourism, sport but not only” remarks Michela Iesu , councilor for tourism and entertainment in the municipality of Tortolì.
The numbers. Twenty male and seven female teams with 250 participants including athletes and delegates from Europe, Africa, the Americas and Oceania. The World Championships have determined, directly and from the related activities, a quantifiable turnover of around one million euros with 2500 presences in the area. 150 students, 50 staff and guests were involved in the event.
The order and security service is impressive: one hundred rubber boats for judges and assistance, the presence of the Carabinieri diver unit, 80 ship’s stewards, 32 rescue workers at sea equipped for resuscitation, three doctors. On the topic of attention to the environment, the Fishing for the planet project (mapping of waste in the seabed) was presented. The organization involved local schools, institutions and associations.