Train at night, outdoors, in the rain or in the cold. This is the daily reality of a group of badminton enthusiasts in the Province of Crotone, forced to practice their sport in a market area without coverage, in the absence of dedicated indoor sports facilities.
A situation which, while on the one hand speaks of authentic passion and strong determination, on the other hand highlights a structural deficiency which prevents the safe and organized development of the discipline in the area. The training sessions, often carried out at night between midnight and four in the morning, take place in difficult climatic conditions, both in the winter months and during the summer.
The comparison with other Calabrian realities makes the picture even more evident: in various provinces of the region badminton is practiced regularly in indoor gyms and facilities, while in the Crotone area there are currently no accessible spaces for this discipline.
The group’s objective is not only to continue practicing sport, but to promote badminton as an educational, social and aggregative opportunity, involving young people, families and citizens. An activity that could represent a healthy and inclusive alternative in the local sports scene.
For this reason, a request for support was made to the competent institutions, starting from the Municipality of Crotone, asking for guidance on possible concrete solutions: from the use of municipal or school gyms, to collaboration with local sports bodies, up to support for the establishment or affiliation of an Amateur Sports Association. The requests also include information on tenders, projects and initiatives dedicated to the development of sport in the area.
The hope is that, through collaboration between institutions, sports bodies and local entities, the Crotone community will finally be able to have adequate spaces to practice badminton in safety and continuity, enhancing a passion that today resists despite the difficulties.
