"Brissa-Go!" was a success. The balance sheet of Martina Corti and Alessio Franconi
 
The president of the Federal Gymnastics Society thanks the participants, looks to the future, and launches an appeal to all sports associations. The town hall hopes that similar initiatives will continue over time
 
Last May, the annual 'challenge between municipalities', coordinated by the organisation Switzerland in Motion and sponsored by Coop, was held to promote a healthy lifestyle among the Swiss population through the practice of regular physical activity and a healthier diet.
The project, initiated by the Federal Office of Sport (FOSPO) in 2005, has become a fixed appointment in late spring, during which the most 'active' municipalities of the Confederation confront each other, divided into categories according to population density, with the aim of raising awareness among the population against the side-effects of being sedentary.
 
This year, Brissago too (as it did some ten years ago) took part in the initiative, which concretely consists in accumulating as many hours of exercise as possible over several days by residents who accept the challenge, and in recording these activities on a specially created application, 'Brissa-Go! This includes hours dedicated to actual sport as well as walks, hikes, bike rides; in short, any opportunity to be in motion is good and contributes to the count, even if it is just the walk to school. Of course, there are rules to be respected (activity carried out in the normal course of household chores, for example, is not valid), but the motto disseminated via the app, 'Every Minute Counts' is evocative in itself.
 
This year, the event was held from 1 May to 2 June and was attended by around 250 municipalities throughout Switzerland. Not very numerous, however, was the Ticino presence, with only Cadenazzo, Novazzano and Stabio - and of course Brissago - representing the Canton.
 
For our small village, however, the event was a novelty that met with great success: no less than 145 people downloaded the App, and if you think that ours is a municipality with a high percentage of elderly people, normally not accustomed to mobile phones and technology, it is an excellent result. Not only that; in the national ranking, Brissago was placed 41st (in its own category, i.e. municipalities with 0 to 2000 inhabitants).
 
Martina Corti, president of the Società Federale Ginnastica Brissago (SFGB), is also satisfied: 'First of all, I would like to sincerely thank all those who took part in the initiative, welcoming it with enthusiasm. It is a valuable reward for the efforts put into organising the event. Given the positive feedback, we will certainly repeat the experience in the future. However, for next year we are thinking of different ideas and proposals, so that we can offer new stimuli and not become repetitive, but in the years to come we will participate again,' he says.
Alessio Franconi, Municipal Councillor in charge of the Sports Department, is also very satisfied: 'I think it was a wonderful initiative to make the population aware of motor and sports activities, an initiative that involved children, young people and adults. Of course, as it was almost a first, I am sure that interest in these and similar initiatives will only grow over time. And this is clearly my wish'.
Franconi also emphasises the success of the Gymnastics Festival, the academy held at Campo Rosso on Saturday, 4 May: "It was a beautiful afternoon, which involved the students of the schools and their families, and also an opportunity to experience a convivial evening together.
 
Beyond the undeniable satisfaction, Martina Corti hopes that in the future other local sports associations can also be involved in this type of initiative, 'because by working together we can achieve better results'.
The premises for making Brissago a 'village on the move' every day are there: those who live in such a pleasant, welcoming and tranquil village, with its mild climate and breathtaking views, can already explore and enjoy the privilege of being able to take a bicycle ride along the lakefront or walk to school every day in every season (thanks to the other praiseworthy and appreciated Pedibus initiative).
"From this point of view," adds Martina Corti, "Brissago is the ideal place to accustom children from an early age to keeping in motion by doing activities, possibly outdoors, as recommended by Swiss medical guidelines that recommend at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day.
 
Founded in 1972, SFG Brissago is part of the Cantonal Association of Ticino Gymnastics. Aware of the risks that a sedentary lifestyle entails, the society - which has over 100 active members - offers various gymnastics courses throughout the year, both for adults and children: volleyball, pilates, crossfit, spinning, and gentle gymnastics for the elderly. Not forgetting gymnastics for pre-school and primary school children. An information leaflet on the activities offered by SFG Brissago is sent by post to families, and all news and information is also published on the website ginnasticabrissago.ch.