The countdown has officially begun for the tenth edition of the Pulcino d’Oro International Tournament, scheduled from 12 to 15 June on the pitches of Valsugana, with Levico Terme as the beating heart of the event. Four days of sport, passion and inclusion that will transform Trentino into the capital of Under–11 youth football, Pulcini category. The press conference to present the event to the Valsugana community, held on Friday 6 June at the historic Terme di Levico, brought together representatives of local institutions, confirming the solid and participatory network that has supported this unique event for ten years.
Sandro Beretta, president of the Organising Committee, proudly highlighted the tournament’s growth. “From the very first edition, it was clear that the Pulcino d’Oro would become something special. Today, it is an international event, with stages throughout Italy and abroad. This year, we are celebrating with some big news. The debut of Barcelona, teams from Africa and the United Arab Emirates, and the involvement of 14 schools. The Pulcino d’Oro is first and foremost a tournament of values, among which inclusion stands out.”
A record-breaking anniversary with 80 participating teams and some of the most prestigious football clubs in the world. From the men’s teams to the women’s teams of the Pulcino d’Oro Girls. Barcelona, River Plate, PSV Eindhoven, Benfica, Sporting Lisbon, Bayer Leverkusen, RB Leipzig, alongside top Italian clubs such as Juventus, Milan, Inter, Roma, Atalanta, Parma, Genoa and Bologna. Among the international newcomers are Dinamo Batumi (Georgia) and Al Wahda (United Arab Emirates). Massimo Oss, host and CEO of ‘Terme di Levico’, highlighted the symbolic value of the conference location: ‘This room hosted the inauguration of the spa, and today we are here for an equally significant event. We will actively experience the Pulcino d’Oro, with dedicated initiatives during the days of the tournament.’
The Pulcino d’Oro is also a virtuous example of collaboration between sport, schools and the local area. Fourteen school-work alternation projects, with a network of hundreds of volunteers. But also the involvement of children with special educational needs. Gianni Beretta, Mayor of Levico, together with Paolo Zon, Councillor for Sport, highlighted the impact on the community: ‘The Pulcino d’Oro is much more than a sporting event. It is a moment of collective identity. Full hotels, families involved, active volunteers. Levico lives it with its heart. We are talking about a particularly high turnout, considering that there are thousands of people attending over the four days. Not only children playing, but also staff, parents, friends and curious onlookers.’
This enthusiasm is shared throughout the Valsugana region, as confirmed by Denis Pasqualin, president of ‘APT Valsugana‘: “Families find an offering that is consistent with our territory, from lakes to mountains. During the event, it is guaranteed to be sold out. There will be 80 teams, including boys, girls and club members, bringing the total number of participants to 2,400. We are also seeing a steady increase in attendance by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends. We will reach record numbers for attendance at an event that is growing more and more.” ‘The Pulcino d’Oro is a unique example of volunteering, active community spirit and passion,’ explains Andrea Fontanari, President of the Alta Valsugana Community. ‘It is a concrete and solid project with extraordinary innovations. For our young footballers, it is an open-air training ground for growth.’ Volunteering and inclusion are themes that are repeated, reiterated and emphasised by the protagonists.
Franco Senesi, honorary president of Cassa Rurale Alta Valsugana, concluded: ‘We have always followed the Pulcino d’Oro. It is an extraordinary event that deserves our support today and in the future.’
The Pulcino d’Oro is much more than a tournament. It is a celebration of authentic sport, a meeting point between cultures and generations, a laboratory of shared emotions. From 12 to 15 June, the future of football will be playing in Valsugana. And there will be plenty of excitement.