"Il Gatto" Mazzinghi from Florence to Tanzania with water polo in his heart

"Il Gatto", Federico Mazzinghi by birth, nicknamed so by his teammates for his feline moves between the posts of the Rari Nantes Florentia's paralympic water polo team, this time has taken a leap a bit further. A few weeks ago, Federico, a professional doctor and goalkeeper for the most titled Italian paralympic FINP team, has moved to Tanzania to work on an international project within a humanitarian mission by Doctors with Africa CUAMM, a NGO from Padua. Just arrived in Africa, where he will stay for about six months, "Il Gatto" wasted no time and immediately after his welcome tour on a Bajaji (a kind of tuk-tuk), he started looking for a pool to practice and be ready for his fifth Italian paralympic water polo championship and continue his sporting dream and that of his locker room friends who have so far given him, along with great emotions, 1 championship title, 4 Italian cups, and an Italian Super Cup.

In his affectionate letter to the team, coach, manager, and the club, his passion and love for this sport and life can be felt:

"Dear friends, after annoying half of Tanzania and literally persisting until death with the CUAMM country head for security, through a collaborator of our health team, I met with the director of a hotel: yes, I had to settle and look like a fish trapped in a ball, but I FOUND A 'POOL' AND STARTED SWIMMING. The guy was astonished because no one had ever asked him to swim just like that (usually they just sunbathe), but we have a kind of agreement for these months. The weather will be a problem because it's the rainy season (I literally froze to death) BUT I MADE IT and can try to train. I send you these photos out of fondness and testimony. Forza Rari always!"

Gianluca Rosucci
Press Office Rari Nantes Florentia