On 19 September, the third Sports Award “Filippo Nicosia” took place at the “Luxe Valley” complex in Chongqing, as part of the 2026 Italian Sports Day Around the World. The event was organised by the Consulate General of Italy in Chongqing, in collaboration with the Municipal Department of Sport, Luxe Valley and Team 7 Triathlon Club.
As emphasised by Consul General Fabio Schina, the 2026 Award, dedicated to kayaking, highlighted the values of coordination, balance and collaboration, in keeping with the spirit of relations between Italy and China. The theme ties in with the focus of the Italian Sports Day, which this year is centred on boating, sailing and the sea, in view of the America’s Cup Naples 2027.
Sixty participants, including local officials, media representatives and Italian and Chinese enthusiasts, took part in a two-kilometre amateur race in two-seater kayaks. Before the start, Consul Schina highlighted the role of sport in promoting inclusion and dialogue: “Today’s race is a shared journey, a symbol of the strong bond between Italy and China.”
The ceremony paid tribute to Filippo Nicosia, Consul-General in Chongqing from 2017 to 2019, to whom the award is dedicated. Consul Schina said:“Reaffirming the values of dialogue, cooperation and friendship through sport is the best way to honour his memory.”
