Ceva Selected as Host Site for FIP’s Academy Italia Youth Basketball Project

The city of Ceva is preparing to step into the spotlight of Italian youth basketball. The Palazzetto dello Sport di piazza Galliano has been selected by the Italian Basketball Federation (FIP) to host a key stage of the “Academy Italia” national project, a strategic initiative focused on the selection and development of the country’s next generation of talent.

The event, promoted by the Piedmont Regional Committee of the FIP, will bring federal trainers and elite youth prospects to the region for a high-intensity training session. For a community deeply invested in sports, the selection of Ceva as a venue serves as a formal validation of the city’s facilities and its commitment to athletic growth.

Event Logistics and Schedule

The training session is scheduled for Saturday, April 11, 2026. The action will seize place at the Palazzetto dello Sport from 15:00 to 17:00 local time. This window will be dedicated exclusively to athletes born in 2012, marking a critical juncture in the federation’s youth pipeline.

This specific session is not merely a practice clinic but a core component of the FIP’s broader federal selection and training activity. By targeting the 2012 age group, the federation aims to identify and refine the technical skills of players who may eventually represent Italy on the international stage.

Technical Leadership and Supervision

The session will be led by coach Alessandro Guidi, who will oversee the on-court drills and evaluations. To ensure the program aligns with regional and national standards, the event will operate under the direct supervision of Pietro Cardile, the Technical Territorial Manager.

The presence of high-level technical leadership underscores the importance of the Academy Italia project. Rather than localized training, these sessions provide a standardized environment where athletes are measured against national benchmarks, ensuring that no talent goes unnoticed regardless of their home club.

Local Impact and Community Recognition

The municipal government of Ceva has expressed strong satisfaction with the FIP’s decision. Mayor Fabio Mottinelli and delegated councilor Manuel Alciati characterized the choice of the Palazzetto di piazza Galliano as a significant recognition of the quality of the city’s sporting infrastructure.

According to Mottinelli and Alciati, the event highlights the territory’s dedication to promoting sports, particularly among the youth. They noted that hosting such a national initiative provides not only a growth opportunity for the participating athletes but also increased visibility for the entire community.

For the local sports ecosystem, the arrival of federal coaches and athletes from across the region transforms the gym into a hub of professional development, offering a glimpse into the rigorous standards required to climb the ranks of the FIP.

Understanding Academy Italia

For those unfamiliar with the structure, Academy Italia functions as a scouting and developmental bridge. We see designed to move beyond traditional club training by implementing federation-led curricula that focus on the fundamental technical and tactical requirements of the modern game.

By rotating these sessions through different venues like Ceva, the FIP ensures that the selection process remains inclusive and geographically diverse, allowing territorial managers to evaluate players in various environments.

The next confirmed checkpoint for the project is the training session itself this Saturday, where the 2012-born athletes will begin their evaluations.

Do you think decentralized academies are the best way to uncover hidden talent in regional Italy? Share your thoughts in the comments below.