In March 2026, Cassino will host the 24th edition of the World University Cross Country Championships. University athletes from more than 30 countries around the world will arrive in the city, accompanied by their coaches and families. This will be an event of great sporting significance, with an equally important economic and reputational impact for the area.
This is well understood by the Rector of the University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Marco Dell’Isola; the Mayor of Cassino, Enzo Salera; the Regional Councillor for Sport, Elena Palazzo; the Municipal Councillor for Sport of the City of Cassino, Maria Concetta Tamburrini; the Regional Councillor Pasquale Ciacciarelli; the President of the City Council, Barbara Di Rollo; the President of BPC, Vincenzo Formisano; Professor Cristina Corstis, Delegate of the Rector for Sport and Health; the Municipal Councillor for Maintenance, Pierluigi Pontone; the FEDERCUSI Councillor, Flaminia Calce; Professor Giovanna Calise De Rosa; and, of course, the driving force behind the entire project, the person who believed in it, envisioned it and made it possible: the President of CUS Cassino, Carmine Calce.
All participants gathered around the same table in the Rectorate’s Council Chamber to discuss this and other projects sharing a common goal: enhancing the territory and promoting the well-being of the community. Beyond political affiliations, everyone stood united in a true team effort, fully aware that only through cooperation can significant results be achieved.
The meeting was opened by the Rector, Marco Dell’Isola, in his role as host. He thanked the distinguished guests for recognizing the importance of an initiative that places the University at the forefront of its organization, and then gave the floor to the Regional Councillor for Sport of the Lazio Region, Elena Palazzo. Despite her institutional commitments, she wished to attend in person to express her full support for the initiative.
“The Lazio Region,” she stated, “stands alongside this major event, which highlights sport as a driver of tourism growth and economic development. It will serve as a catalyst for promoting sport among young people and represent an extraordinary opportunity for growth for Cassino and the surrounding area. My sincere thanks go to the Rector, the President of the CUS, the Mayor, and all those who are working with dedication to make this event a reality. We will do our part to ensure that these World Championships become a source of pride and renewal for the entire region.”
The Councillor also announced another initiative involving the territory: Cammini Divini, a project that will span various areas of Lazio, starting from the Abbey of Montecassino, aimed at linking spiritual routes with local food and wine traditions.
Like a sporting relay, the floor then passed to the Municipal Councillor for Sport, Maria Concetta Tamburrini, who reaffirmed “the duty to ensure the right to sport. What we are doing today for sport,” she continued, “must continue after us; it must become a structured system and not a one-off initiative.”
The Regional Councillor Pasquale Ciacciarelli, who spoke immediately afterwards, reiterated his support for the University and the CUS, emphasizing the need to strengthen the University, which is also essential for training municipal staff—now more than ever in need of the skills required to access financial resources.
“Our decision to provide funding,” stated Vincenzo Formisano, President of BPC, “is not a donation but an investment in support of the territory. It is not clientelism; it is about creating value for the local community. If the territory grows, our bank grows with it. These events are an excellent catalyst for territorial development, and their realization is possible thanks to teamwork and synergy among the various institutional bodies.”
Following remarks from the President of the City Council, Barbara Di Rollo; the Municipal Councillor for Maintenance, Pierluigi Pontone; and the FEDERCUSI Councillor, Flaminia Calce, the proceedings were concluded by the President of CUS Cassino, Carmine Calce.
“If we succeeded in being awarded this event, outperforming other major countries,” Calce explained, “it is thanks to our teamwork. My determination and persistence alone would not have been enough. In the report explaining the reasons for the assignment, it is noted that the judges were impressed by the fact that our Mayor, when we travelled to Lausanne to present our bid, was the only one wearing the Italian tricolour sash, demonstrating a strong sense of attachment to our territory. That said, our work cannot and must not stop here. We must always aim higher, and our next goal is the European Cross Country Championships.”
3 Feb
