by Giustino Bonci
MONTEVARCHI
Joel Ramirez Seipio was killed on October 1st a year ago in front of a nightclub in Terranuova Bracciolini, hit in the throat by a lethal glass splinter from a hookah. And this morning, exactly 14 months after the tragedy that tore him from the affection of his loved ones, the community of Montevarchi and that of his town of origin, Santo Domingo, very numerous and rooted in the city, will be witnesses in his memory of a concrete and collective gesture of aggregation and inclusion. In fact, at 11 am, the renovated playground, an outdoor basketball court, will be inaugurated in Via Michelangelo and will be dedicated to the thirty-eight-year-old Dominican who loved basketball, had played in Fides, the inclusive association par excellence, and defended the colors of district of Santa Maria in the Game of the Well of Forgiveness in September. The idea came from the Giglio neighborhood committee, created by a group of residents to urge the municipal administration on the critical issues of the area and to promote recreational and shared opportunities. “We realized that next to the Oratory and the five-a-side football pitch there was a space to be put back together – explains the president Stefano Neri – and we asked the parish priest, Don Mauro Frasi who has to deal with many activities every day for those in need, if we could lend a hand in the renovation”. The “yes” was immediate and the project was submitted to those who know a thing or two about the subject, i.e. Fides: “We asked Marco Faenzi for support and, mindful of the excellent result obtained for another facility, the famous Barbatelle immediately agreed together with the Fidesini managers to help us find the resources and the right company for the intervention”. A synergy that has borne the desired results and triggered a true solidarity contest. When deciding who to name the field after, not only the yellow-green club but also many inhabitants of Giglio mentioned the name of Joel, that affectionate father who died prematurely: “The sister and family members welcomed the proposal – Neri continues – and involved in the initiative is the Dominican community whose representatives will intervene at the ribbon cutting of a place where everyone can have fun and above all practice sport for free. Just contact Rocco, owner of the stationery shop in front of the playgroud, to take the keys and shoot baskets.” Not only that, because the elementary and middle school students from the nearby “Magiotti” comprehensive will also take advantage of the pitch. “At Giglio – commented Faenzi – another step in our club’s dream becomes reality. Equipping every city neighborhood with facilities like this which enhance the healthy values of sporting practice”.
