“Una partecipazione che ha conferito al torneo una significativa dimensione internazionale, trasformando il diamante di via Gramsci in un luogo di incontro tra culture, esperienze e tradizioni sportive differenti,” stated Foggia Mayor Maria Aida Episcopo and sports councillor Domenico Di Molfetta, as reported by immediato.net.
The Cuban national team won the softball tournament at the 22nd edition of the Città di Foggia – Foggia Winter Baseball League slowpitch event. The weekend competition brought 150 athletes from across Italy together with international squads from Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela on the Via Gramsci diamond in Foggia.
More than 100 family members and team supporters accompanied the athletes to the Puglia venue, according to immediato.net. The influx filled hotels and bed-and-breakfasts near the sports complex while driving business into local restaurants and retail shops.
Spectators gathered around the fences throughout the weekend, drawn by Caribbean music and food stalls accompanying the tournament games. Mayor Episcopo and councillor Di Molfetta noted that the competition brought concrete developmental value to the city by generating visitor traffic and showcasing local hosting capabilities.
The tournament served as a milestone for Foggia’s bid to become European City of Sport in 2028. For the first time, the official candidacy logo appeared on a municipal sporting event poster, an initiative supported by a council commission led by Italo Pontone.
Local club ASD Foggia Red Black became the first association to display the 2028 badge. Mayor Episcopo and councillor Di Molfetta praised club representative Salvatore Strippoli and local volunteers for organizing the event and elevating Foggia’s profile on the international sporting stage.
