sports Without Barriers 2025: A Weekend of Inclusion and Athleticism
get ready for an action-packed weekend! Sports Without Barriers 2025 is hitting Luino and Dumenza from Friday, September 5th, to Sunday, September 7th. This isn’t just another sports event; it’s a festivity of inclusion, community, and the unifying power of athletics. Think of it as the Special Olympics meets a local county fair, with a dash of European flair.
following a sneak peek in mid-August, Sports Without Barriers is set to deliver a dynamic program featuring tournaments, exhibitions, educational workshops, and pure entertainment. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just looking for a fun family outing, there’s something for everyone.
Friday, September 5th: Opening Ceremony at Palazzo Verbania
The festivities kick off at 8:00 PM at Palazzo Verbania in Luino. The opening conference, moderated by Davide Boldrini and Marco Massarenti, will outline the event’s schedule and highlights for 2025. To ensure everyone can participate, the presentation will be translated into Lis (Italian Sign Language). this opening is designed to set the stage and explain the goals of the project before the main events in dumenza.
Saturday, September 6th: Carà Park Comes Alive
From 9:30 AM to midnight, Carà Park transforms into the epicenter of the event, offering free admission to all. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:
- Multipurpose area: A rotating schedule of badminton, pickleball (think oversized ping pong, a rapidly growing sport in the US), martial arts, Pilates, and sitting volleyball. Plus, rhythmic dance performances and a presentation by the guardia di Finanza’s K-9 unit.
- Decathlon Field: Muscle activation exercises, soccer, blindfolded soccer (a true test of teamwork and trust), volleyball, soft tennis, and Zumba.
- Prato Area: Pet therapy sessions, road safety courses, and demonstrations by ACI (Automobile Club d’Italia) and traffic police, including drug and alcohol testing simulations.
- Basketball Court: Mini-basketball tournaments and open practice sessions.
- Beach Area: Interforze Soccer and Luino Ladies tournaments.
There will also be Games Without Barriers Kids
and family-kind shows, including a captivating colored bubble display. The official ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for 11:30 AM, accompanied by a musical performance. In the afternoon, a hands-on CPR demonstration will educate the public on life-saving techniques. the day culminates with a performance by Max Pieroboni and a DJ set featuring music from the 90s and 2000s. Food and refreshments will be provided by Pro Loco Dumenza, Laghee ice cream shop, Bubble Tea, and Gigi Pizza, including gluten-free options.
Sunday, September 7th: Sport and Inclusion Until Sunset
The final day, running from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM, continues at Carà Park in Dumenza. Expect more of the same high-energy activities:
- Multipurpose Area: Pickleball, badminton, sitting volleyball, “boxes emotion,” aerobics, rhythmic gymnastics, and martial arts demonstrations.
- Decathlon Field: Soccer, volleyball, and blindfolded soccer return.
- prato Area: Road safety courses,dog training activities,and demonstrations by the Carabinieri association.
- Basketball Court: Wheelchair basketball, mini-basketball, artistic skating, and children’s tournaments.
- Beach Area: A large volleyball tournament will keep the energy high until the late afternoon.
Sunday morning also features a family walk, children’s workshops, and activities with horses from Lappico La Smeralda. As usual, it will be a weekend in the name of participation and the joy of sharing sport in all its forms, we are waiting for you at dumenza,
says Marco Massarenti.
Admission to Carà Park in Dumenza is free. Audio will be provided by Deejay Promo with Alessio Mezzadri, Loris R.,and Davide Falsone as vocalists. For more information, details, and updates, visit the event website, the Facebook page, and the Instagram profile. Click here to view the complete program.
