Official announcement regarding the 2020 Mastronardi Challenge in Italy

Dear Mastronardi Friends, Vážení přátelé Mastronardi, Cari amici Mastronardi, Chers amis Mastronardi, Liebe Mastronardi Freunde, Drodzy Przyjaciele Mastronardi, An official announcement by the Secretary Mastronardi regarding the 2020 Mastronardi Challenge in Italy.

For weeks I have been in contact with the Italian organization almost every day, regarding the conditions in Europe and Italy. These are conditions that no one saw coming. Neither do we, not even during the Mastronardi Managers Meeting in February. After our February meeting in Prague, the situation in Europe regarding the Coronavirus has deteriorated very badly. Thanks to the very good cooperation with the Italian organizer, for which I am very grateful to them during these difficult times! We managed to postpone the final decision from early March to late March. The purpose of this postponement was ... to study the situation in more detail and to monitor the spread of the virus. After my last meeting yesterday with Davide from the Italian organization ... we have to admit that we have to make a final decision. The final decision is very hard ... And you have to believe us ... This decision was very difficult to make, especially in our friendly environment.

Taking into account all factors, current situation,… It has been decided to cancel the Mastronardi Challenge 2020 in Italia. This decision was taken on the basis of regular consultations with the organizers and the monitoring of the measures taken by the authorities in each country. Your health comes first! The health of each of us, our Mastronardi friends, the Mastronardi families and the Mastronardi friends.

We must also be realistic. We carry the consequences of this virus for the whole of 2020. Restrictions in the countries are being extended, some countries are already talking about extending the travel restrictions in their country until December 2020, and so on and so on. Organizing a tournament requires an organization (hotel, accommodation, grounds, ...). Since we have no prospects and many questions ... we cannot capture this either. I certainly understand the Italian organizer in this, and you also understand this, because we all have already organized the tournament.

NEVER GIVE UP! STRONGER THAN BEFORE! That is now our goal within Mastronardi! And keep everyone safe and healthy.

What do the teams think about the following plan B: 2021 Czech Republic (this was already approved at our Managers meeting in February). We will shift the organization of Italy to 2022. The Italian organizer confirmed to me that they can organize this in 2022. Can everyone agree with this Plan B ?

I would like to apologize once again for this very hard and sad message. But we must take responsibility for every one of us. But nothing prevents us from meeting with each other … Mastronardi friends once the situation is better after the summer. We may be able to meet "in small committee" after summer (if all is better) to discuss this difficult year of Mastronardi 2020. Take good care of you! Keep yourself, family and friends good. Help each other in this difficult situation.

# NEVER GIVE UP! STRONGER THAN BEFORE! MASTRONARDI FOR LIVE !

Greetings, Grüße, Saluti, Zdravím, Pozdrowienia, Piet