INVITATION TO THE
“1° SHOWDOWN SPORTS GAMES A.I.C.S.”
17TH / 24TH AUGUST 2025 – ITALY, BOLOGNA
Dear everybody,
the AICS Associazione Italiana Cultura Sport (Italian Sport Culture Association), availing itself of the technical and organisational support of “Showdown Italia”, is glad to invite you to the first “Showdown Sports Games A.I.C.S.”.
The “Showdown Sports Games A.I.C.S.” are open to both visually impaired and sighted players who, according to the I.B.S.A. international Showdown rules, must wear masks that completely obscure the players' vision.
As agreed with the IBSA Showdown Subcommittee, the “Showdown Sports Games AICS” will award points for the official IBSA international ranking.
Two separate rankings will be used for assigning points:
•”Showdown For All Ranking”: all participants in the competitions will receive points in this ranking;
•IBSA International Ranking: only visually impaired participants who are already included in the IBSA ranking, or who, at the time of registration, provide a visual classification or a medical certificate from their country of origin attesting to their visual impairment, will receive points in this ranking.
“Showdown Italia” is the national technical commission for inclusive Showdown. The commission is part of the Italian Sport Culture Association, a national organization which counts more than a million members and twelve thousand associated clubs.
“Showdown Italia” organises an inclusive sports season in Italy, open to both visually impaired and sighted players, which includes: 2 national open individual tournaments, 1 national individual championship, 1 national double championship and an All-Star Game.
Visit our official website for further information:
https://www.showdownitalia.it
The “Showdown Sports Games AICS” will take place in the city of Bologna, Italy, from Sunday 17th to Sunday 24th August 2025, at the prestigious 4 stars “Sydney” Hotel, where participants will stay and meals will be served.
The “Sydney” Hotel offers the following classification of rooms:
- single room;
- twin room;
- double room;
- triple room;
- the rooms' sizes are suitable for guide dogs.
PARTICIPATION MODALITIES AND FEES
The "Showdown Sports Games AICS" participants will be able to choose between two distinguished packages:
- the "just Showdown" package, dedicated to those who whish to take part to the competition only;
- the "holidays with Showdown" package, dedicated to those who whish to add some days off to the competition.
PACKAGE "JUST SHOWDOWN"
(from Wednesday 20th dinner to Sunday 24th August 2025 breakfast)
- single room for players, coaches and guides: 550,00€;
- twin – double–triple room for players, coaches and guides: 470,00€ per person;
- extra meal: 30,00€ (first course, main course, side dish, dessert, white and red wines, still and sparkling water, coffee).
The “just Showdown” fee covers:
- registration fee, including insurance;
- all breakfasts and meals from Wednesday 20th dinner to Sunday 24th August 2025 breakfast;
- overnight stays from Wednesday 20th to Saturday 23rd August 2025;
- water during the competition;
- use of the outdoor hotel private pool;
- free parking in the outdoor area;
- on request transfer service from and to Bologna “Guglielmo Marconi” Airport and from and to the central train station to the “Sydney” Hotel on Wednesday 20th and Sunday 24th August 2025;
- Wi-Fi connection, for which username and password will be provided at the Hotel reception;
- access to the showdown online platform at the following address:
https://www.showdownitalia.it/bologna
PACKAGE "HOLIDAYS WITH SHOWDOWN"
(from Sunday 17th dinner to Sunday 24th August 2025 breakfast)
- single room for players, coaches and guides: 900,00€;
- twin – double–triple room for players, coaches and guides: 760,00€ per person;
- extra meal: 30,00€ (first course, main course, side dish, dessert, white and red wines, still and sparkling water, coffee);
- It will be possible to postpone the day of arrival in Bologna, recalculating the participation fee, contacting the organisation.
The "holidays with Showdown” fee covers:
- registration fee, including insurance;
- all breakfasts and meals from Sunday 17th dinner to Sunday 24th August 2025 breakfast;
- overnight stays from Sunday 17th to Saturday 23rd August 2025;
- water during the competition;
- use of the outdoor hotel private pool;
- free parking in the outdoor area;
- on request transfer service from and to Bologna “Guglielmo Marconi” Airport and from and to the central train station to the “Sydney” Hotel on Sunday 17th and Sunday 24th August 2025;
- Wi-Fi connection, for which username and password will be provided at the Hotel reception;
- access to the showdown online platform at the following address:
https://www.showdownitalia.it/bologna
Participation forms must be sent to the mail address info@showdownitalia.it within June 30th 2025, together with:
- registration form, correctly filled out in plain text not image format;
- participation fee bank receipt, deposited into the Sydney Hotel bank account;
- players who wish to earn points in the IBSA ranking and are not already included must submit either their visual classification or a medical certificate from their country of origin attesting to their visual impairment.
Those who should have problems in filling out the registration forms are requested to contact the organisation, which is at hand to solve those problems.
Participation forms received later than June 30th 2025 will not be taken into consideration.
BANK
DETAILS AND ORGANIZATION CONTATS
“Sydney” Hotel:
- WEB: www.thesydneyhotel.eu
- Address: Via Michelino 73, 40127 Bologna – Italia
- Bank details: the Sydney Hotel srl
- IBAN: IT94M0306902507100000004196
- BIC / Swift: bcititmm
- Bank transfer reference: 2025 Showdown tournament participation
Event organisation:
- Showdown Italia AICS
- Mobile (WhatsApp): +39 340 30 42 479
- E-Mail: info@showdownitalia.it
- WEB: www.showdownitalia.it
- Facebook: Showdown Italia
- Instagram: Showdown Italia
EVENT SCHEDULE
JUST SHOWDOWN SCHEDULE
Wednesday August 20th 2025:
- 11 am – 6 pm: participants' arrivals;
- 12,30 pm: extra meal available upon order in the registration form;
- 2 pm: rooms check-in;
- 7,30 pm: dinner at the Hotel's restaurant;
- 9 pm: opening ceremony and technical meeting open to all the participants. At the ceremony, organisational details will be given, matches schedules prints will be handed to those who requested them, bats and gloves players will use during the competition will be checked and validated.
Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd August 2025:
- 7 am – 9 am: breakfast at the hotel restaurant;
- 8 am – 12,30 pm: matches;
- 12,30 pm: lunch at the hotel restaurant;
- 2 pm – 8 pm: matches;
- 8,30 pm: dinner at the hotel restaurant.
Saturday 23rd August 2025:
- 7 am – 9 am: breakfast at the hotel restaurant;
- 8 am – 12,30 pm: matches;
- 12,30 pm: lunch at the hotel restaurant;
- 2 pm – 6 pm: matches;
- 7 pm: closing and award ceremony;
- 8 pm: poolside cocktail;
- 8,30 pm: dinner at the hotel restaurant.
Sunday 24th August 2025:
- 7 am – 9 am: breakfast at the hotel restaurant;
- 8 am – 2 pm: participants' departures;
- 11 am: rooms check-out;
- 12,30 pm: extra lunch available upon order in the registration form.
“HOLYDAY
WITH SHOWDOWN” SCHEDULE
Sunday August 17th 2025:
- 11 am – 6 pm: participants' arrivals;
- 12,30 pm: extra meal available upon order in the registration form;
- 2 pm: rooms check-in;
- 7,30 pm: dinner at the Hotel's restaurant.
Monday 18th August 2025:
- 7 am – 10 am: breakfast at the hotel restaurant;
- All Hotel services will be available to those who won't participate to day at the beach (restaurant, bar and pool);
- 8,30 am: appointment outside the Hotel for the transfer by minivan to the Romagna seaside;
- 9,30 am – 12,30 pm: relax on the beach and swimming in the sea;
· 12,30 pm - 2 pm: seafood lunch;
· 2 pm – 5,30 pm: relax on the beach and swimming in the sea;
· 6 pm: return to the Sydney Hotel by minivan;
· 7,30 pm: dinner at the Hotel's restaurant.
Tuesday 19th August 2025:
- 7 am – 10 am: breakfast at the hotel restaurant;
- all Hotel services will be available to those who won't participate to the guided tours (restaurant, bar and pool);
- 9,30 am: appointment outside the Hotel for the transfer by minivan to the Sanctuary of San Luca, located on Colle della Guardia, one of the south-western hills of the city of Bologna;
- 10 am: meeting to present La Girobussola;
- 10,15am - 12,30 pm: visit and exploration of the Basilica, thanks to the support of the tactile copy of the famous icon of the black Madonna;
- 12,30 pm – 2 pm: packed lunch on the hills of Bologna;
- 2 pm: back to the city on foot through the famous Portico of San
Luca, the longest portico in the world. It is
- 2,30 pm: transfer by minivan from the Colle della Guardia to the historic centre;
- 2,45 pm – 5 pm: visit of piazza Santo Stefano and the “Seven Churches” complex (esploration of one of the most peculiar squares in Bologna and tale of the "Seven Churches” complex's transformations, starting from the origins in the fifth century BC);
- 5 pm: return to the Hotel by minivan;
- 7,30 pm: dinner at the Hotel's restaurant.
Wednesday 20th August 2025:
- 7 am – 10 am: breakfast at the hotel restaurant;
- all Hotel services will be available to those who won't participate to the guided tours (restaurant, bar and pool);
- 9,30 am: appointment outside the Hotel for the transfer to Bologna's historic centre by minivan;
- 10 am - 12,30 pm:
Ø
meeting to present
Ø description and exploration of the Fountain of Neptune, Salaborsa library;
Ø tale of the history and structure of the most important square in Bologna (piazza Maggiore and the “Crescentone”, the raised flooring of the square);
Ø introduction of the buildings surrounding piazza Maggiore: palazzo d’Accursio, palazzo dei Notai, palazzo del Podestà, palazzo dei Banchi, Basilica of San Petronio;
Ø visit to the Basilica of San Petronio, one of the biggest churches in Europe and Cassini's Sundial;
Ø stroll through the streets of the Quadrilatero Market amongst the typical products of Bologna gastronomy such as Mortadella and Parmesan;
Ø 12,30 pm - 2,30 pm: packed lunch at the Osteria del Sole: one of the most ancient taverns in Bologna;
Ø 2,30 pm – 6 pm:
Ø stroll along the Pavaglione, the most famous of Bologna's Porticoes, where silkworms, that gave wealth to the city, were sold;
Ø visit to the Anatomical Theatre of the Archiginnasio, (ancient location of the University of Bologna) where bodies donated to science were checked in front of dozens of medical students, longing for knowledge;
Ø stroll to the Asinelli Tower, one of the two towers of Bologna, symbols of the city, erected by the noble Gherardo Asinelli (the possibility to reach the tower's top through a staircase of 498 steps is available upon reservation);
Ø the stroll goes on in the city centre and it will be possibile to taste the famous ice-cream of the historic ice-cream parlour Majani, founded in 1796;
- 6 pm: return to the Hotel by minivan;
- 7,30 pm: dinner at the Hotel's restaurant;
- 9 pm: opening ceremony and technical meeting open to all the participants. At the ceremony, organisational details will be given, matches schedules prints will be handed to those who requested them, bats and gloves players will use during the competition will be checked and validated.
Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd August 2025:
- 7 am – 9 am: breakfast at the hotel restaurant;
- 8 am – 12,30 pm: matches;
- 12,30 pm: lunch at the hotel restaurant;
- 2 pm – 8 pm: matches;
- 8,30 pm: dinner at the hotel restaurant.
Saturday 23rd August 2025:
- 7 am – 9 am: breakfast at the hotel restaurant;
- 8 am – 12,30 pm: matches;
- 12,30 pm: lunch at the hotel restaurant;
- 2 pm – 6 pm: matches;
- 7 pm: closing and award ceremony;
- 8 pm: poolside cocktail;
- 8,30 pm: dinner at the hotel restaurant.
Sunday 24th August 2025:
- 7 am – 9 am: breakfast at the hotel restaurant;
- 8 am – 2 pm: participants' departures;
- 11 am: rooms check-out;
- 12,30 pm: extra lunch available upon order in the registration form.
SOME EVENT DETAILS
- The "Showdown Sports Games AICS" are open to both visually impaired and sighted players.
- As agreed with the IBSA Showdown Subcommittee, the “Showdown Sports Games AICS” will award points for the official IBSA international ranking. Two separate rankings will be used for assigning points:
A.”Showdown For All Ranking”: all participants in the competitions will receive points in this ranking;
B. IBSA International Ranking: only visually impaired participants who are already included in the IBSA ranking, or who, at the time of registration, provide a visual classification or a medical certificate from their country of origin attesting to their visual impairment, will receive points in this ranking.
- playing system; groups; first round matches with players' names, matches' times and tables and the referees' list will be sent to the participants after the closing of entries;
- the schedule can be changed depending on the number of participants and the definitive program will be sent after the closing of entries;
- The first round groups will be formed first according to the IBSA international ranking and then according to the Showdown For All ranking. Players who aren't in the ranking list will be enlisted in the groups by draw;
- we will play Czech tables, the number of which will depend on the number of participants (maximum 10 tables);
- we will use audible regulatory balls from Denmark;
- the playing system will follow IBSA's International Showdown rules in force at the time of the competition;
- the organization staff will show interested people around the hotel shortly after their arrival (bedroom, restaurant, bar, pool, waiting room and game rooms);
- it will be possibile to swim in the pool from 10 am to 7 pm;
- at the technical meeting during the opening ceremony, participants will receive information about how to surf on the online Showdown platform. There, you'll find the following updated information: game time, the matches' tables and the results. It will also be possibile to follow the matches on line on Showdown Italia Youtube channel, thaks to a wide angle camera with microphone.
EVENT GUIDELINES
1. “SHOWDOWN SPORTS GAMES AICS” REGISTRATION AND RETREAT:
A. only those who will send the registration form and paid the fee on time can participate to the 1° "Showdown Sports Games AICS";
B. those who will retreat from the event after the registration deadline and no later than July 31st 2025 will have 100,00€ witheld from the participation fee and the remaining sum will be refunded;
C. those who will retreat from the event between August 1st and 15th 2025 will have 200,00€ witheld from the participation fee and the remaining sum will be refunded;
D. those who will retreat from the event from August 16th 2025 onwards won't have the participation fee refunded.
2. EQUIPMENT CHECK:
A. during the technical meeting, all players must show the referees the bats and gloves they will use during the competition;
B. bats and gloves will be measured according to the IBSA international rules, then checked and validated;
C. before the start of each match,the Referees will inspect the masks to ensure the players vision is totally obscured and check the stamp on the bats.
3. MATCHES:
A. all matches will be played at best of 3 sets, apart from quarter finals, semifinals and finals, which will be played at best of 5 sets;
B. every match will be numbered according to the calendar, played every 30 or 45 minutes according to the tournament's rounds and played without time limit;
C. if a player is more than five minutes late, the referee declares the win for the player who has shown to the match on time. This latter player will be awarded 1 point;
D. if both players are late, both will be awarded 0 points.
4. POINTS:
A. 1 point is awarded to the player who wins the match 2-0 or 2-1;
C. 0 points are awarded to the player who loses the match 1-2 or 0-2.
5. TIED SCORES AMONG PLAYERS:
in case of two or more players with the same points in the same groups, the following options will be taken into consideration:
A. results of the matches played by the involved players among them;
B. in case of tie, set difference concerning matches played by involved players among them will be counted;
C. in case of extended tie, the points difference (scored and suffered) of each of the involved players will be counted;
D. in case of another tie, we will consider the best scoring player in all the group's matches;
E. in case of additional tie, we'll take age into account and the youngest player will be first,while the oldest the last.
6. ACCEPTANCE OF THE RULES:
the participation to the event implies that everyone accepts the rules presented in this document.
7. REFERRAL RULES:
anything else not expressively mentioned in these rules, you can refer to the specific international rules in force at the time of the event.
I remain available for further information or clarifications.
Best regards,
Marco Ferrigno – “Showdown Italia” organizer.
E-Mail: info@showdownitalia.it
Mobile (WhatsApp) : + 39 340 30 42 479
WEB: www.showdownitalia.it
Facebook: Showdown Italia
Instagram: Showdown Italia