Mediterranean Games, the government allocates another 25 million

Another 25 million for the organisation of the 2026 Mediterranean Games in Taranto. The government allocated them during the last summit at Palazzo Chigi. This sum is in addition to the 275 million euro already earmarked for the construction and improvement of the sports infrastructures that will host the competitions of the 20th edition of the event scheduled from 21 August to 3 September.

"The decision to allocate significant financial resources to make a significant contribution to the organisation and holding of the event is intended to underline once again the Government's attention to a major sporting event with obvious and extraordinary geopolitical significance, which with the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics and Paralympics will once again catalyse the world's attention on Italy, generating sporting, social and economic value.

In order to ensure revenues to bring the final budget to breakeven, another 20 million euros will be needed, which will have to be generated by the commercial management of the Organising Committee and by contributions from other institutions. "The invaluable work of the team led by President Ferrarese, also in his capacity as commissioner for the realisation of the sports works that have all been planned and the most important ones put out to tender - added Abodi in a note - represents a first level of guarantee for the positive outcome of the Mediterranean event. As I had already announced in the past few months and reiterated a few days ago, the government is once again demonstrating on this occasion that it knows how to respect its commitments, to allow the Organising Committee, directed by Carlo Molfetta, to work in the best possible way for an edition of the Games that will leave a positive mark on the city and the whole of Apulia, in the hope that it will be celebrated with a finally pacified Mediterranean".

The contract for the Mediterranean Games is for 2019, but it was necessary to create another Organising Committee and appoint an Extraordinary Commissioner, Massimo Ferrarese, to recover from the delays accumulated so far. Now Coni and the municipality are also supported by the government and not only by the Puglia region. The Budget Law allocated some 250 million for the event. In the end, the costs could reach 300 million, 50 of which for the functioning of the organisational machinery, the others for infrastructure. For many interventions, we have now reached the stage of executive projects or the awarding of works. We are also counting on synergies with Defence, Navy and Air Force for the management of spaces and facilities. In terms of legacy, a nautical centre for sailing, canoeing, rowing and triathlon will be built on the Torpediniere quay, which could become a hub for these disciplines, not only for Italy.