After clips of images of the 2023 WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Group Stage were shared on the big screen in the press room filled with local media personnel, softball and baseball club managers with their respective players as well Team Italy personnel, CONI President Giovanni Malagò took the stage. He said, “Thank you for this opportunity to promote the World Championship of such an important discipline in the Italian and global sporting scene. It was a great idea to take the trophy from this event around Italy. I want to remind you that Team Italy Softball is first in the ranking in Europe, sixth in the world, and I can say that it doesn't seem to me that in Italy there are other women's, or even men's, team sports that are so high in the world ranking. Credit goes out to the Federation and the entire movement."
Federazione Italiana Baseball Softball (FIBS) President Andrea Marcon commented, “This World Cup represents a point of arrival for us because we put a lot of effort and work into being assigned this event, but also a starting point because from here we want to continue to be leaders with events in Italy. I want to thank President Malagò for joining us today. I am sure that you will hear more about baseball and softball in Lombardy with world-class events in the coming years. I'll be waiting for you at Castions di Strada to support our girls."
Lombardy Region Sport and Youth Secretary Lara Magoni said, “I'm grateful to be here talking about women's sports and women. Every time I see the girls I get excited and go back 30 years. I agree with President Malagò, the idea of a trophy tour is strategic, taking it around Lombardy brings and introduces softball even to those who are not familiar with the sport. I want to wish you athletes all the best and that the World Cup can remain in Italy because it is an indescribable emotion to stand on the podium of such an important event."
CONI Lombardia President Marco Riva remarked, “The traveling World Cup that travels around the area unites all of us in the passion that unites us in this sport. And the initiative to link baseball and softball to other sports, as you have done to date with football and basketball, is important because it is a way to make the whole sport grow."
The Milano-Cortina 2026 Foundation hosted press conference provided an opportunity to introduce WBSC Women's Softball World Cup sponsors. Energy partner Edison representative Mattia Seira commented, “There are three reasons why Edison decided to support the WBSC Women's Softball World Cup. We are present in Friuli Venezia Giulia with 30 plants and committed to providing green energy. Secondly, Edison has historically partnered with slightly less popular sports such as softball. Thirdly, within this event there is a very significant part of social responsibility since every evening a small contribution will be donated to a different voluntary association.”
Norqain CEO Patrizia Aste echoed the sentiment of community support and said, “It's a great pleasure to be here. Our company is a new brand, 100% Swiss, a quality brand dedicated to sport, which is why the marriage with the World Cup came naturally and we want the passion for softball to spread together with the passion for Norqain."
Faso of the Elio and Le Storie Tese group, who will perform at Palmanova in July to mark the start of the World Championship, also graced the stage prior to being joined WBSC Softball World Cup mascot Mandy and players from the area clubs for a group.
Forza #Italia!
by Fabio Ferrini and Roberto Angotti
(Photo of CONI president Giovanni Malagò together with Milan area players and mascot Mandy posing with the WBSC Softball World Cup by ML/FIBS)
