Italy, Spain and Hungary will come together in Potenza this weekend for an international para water polo tournament, highlighting the continued growth of the sport and the opportunities it offers athletes with physical disabilities.
Taking place from 16–18 October in the southern Italian region of Basilicata, the tournament will bring together three national selections for a weekend of international competition, while a delegation from Croatia will also attend.
Organised with the involvement of the Italian Paralympic Swimming Federation (FINP), the event represents another encouraging step in the development of para water polo, a discipline working to establish a stronger international presence.
Matches will take place at the Piscina Comunale M. Riviello in Potenza, with Italy facing Hungary on Saturday morning before Spain meets Hungary later that evening. The tournament concludes on Sunday when Italy takes on Spain.
A Growing Sport With International Ambitions
Although water polo has a long and established history, para water polo is still developing its international structure.
The sport adapts traditional water polo to accommodate athletes with eligible physical impairments, using a functional classification system designed to promote fair competition between players with different physical abilities.
Under the Italian regulations, teams compete with six players in the water, including a goalkeeper, while classification points help ensure a competitive balance.
Importantly, para water polo is not simply about participation. It offers athletes the opportunity to compete, develop their skills, represent their countries and experience the same competitive environment that makes water polo such a compelling sport.
The competition in Potenza follows several significant developments across Europe.
In July, an international adapted water polo tournament in Terrassa, Spain, brought together eight teams and more than 100 athletes, demonstrating the growing interest in the discipline.
During that event, representatives from Italy and Spain also signed a cooperation agreement focused on strengthening international collaboration, harmonising regulations and developing athlete classification.
Earlier this year, Spanish sporting organisations also announced plans to expand adapted water polo domestically, including work towards establishing a national league.
More Than Just a Tournament
The Potenza event is particularly encouraging because it brings together multiple national selections, creating opportunities for international experience and cooperation.
For developing sports, these opportunities are essential. Regular international competition can help improve playing standards, encourage the formation of new teams and give athletes something tangible to work towards.
The attendance of a Croatian delegation is another positive sign of interest beyond the three participating nations.
Italy has already established a domestic para water polo championship, with clubs including Lazio Nuoto and Waterpolo Napoli Lions contributing significantly to the national programme.
However, the longer-term success of the sport will depend on its growth beyond any individual country, making cooperation between national federations especially important.
Building Towards the Future
While para water polo is not currently included in the Paralympic Games programme, its continued development offers an exciting opportunity for the wider water polo community.
Growing the sport internationally will require investment, accessible facilities, consistent regulations and more opportunities for athletes to compete at every level.
Events such as the tournament in Potenza provide an important platform to demonstrate what para water polo can offer, both as a competitive discipline and as a means of making the sport accessible to more people.
For athletes with disabilities who love the water, the message is an encouraging one: water polo can offer opportunities for teamwork, competition, personal development and potentially even representing their country.
As Italy, Spain and Hungary prepare to meet this weekend, the significance extends beyond the results in the pool.
Every new tournament, participating nation and developing programme represents another step towards a more inclusive and internationally connected future for water polo.
Tournament Schedule
Saturday, 17 October
- 10:30 — Italy vs Hungary
- 18:00 — Spain vs Hungary
Sunday, 18 October
- 10:30 — Italy vs Spain
All matches will be played at the Piscina Comunale M. Riviello in Potenza, Italy.
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