Sunday, November 24, 2024
Fourth place at the Italian C21 basketball championship reserved for athletes with Down syndrome for Atletico Aipd Oristano. The red and white team lost the final for third place this morning in Civitanova Marche against Basket Forever Formia: the final result was 6-12.
The tricolor goes to Fiorano Libertas Sassuolo, who beat Anthropos Civitanova 15-12 in the final.
The Italian Championship was organized by the hosts Anthrophos Civitanova, with the collaboration of Fisdir, the Italian Paralympic Sports Federation of relational intellectuals, and Cip, the Italian Paralympic Committee.
The Oristano company, affiliated to the local section of the Italian Association of People with Down Syndrome, has fielded the athletes Gioele Accalai from Usellus, Giacomo Etzi from Serramanna, Gabriel Lotta from Bonarcado, Enrico Manunta and Cristiano Merella from San Gavino, Alessio Melis from Terralba, Arianna Porru of Ales, Lorenzo Puliga of San Vero Milis, Gabriele Sedda of Mamoiada, Fulvio Silesu of Marrubiu and Antonello Spiga from Oristano.
The basketball players were accompanied to the Marche by the president of Atletico Aipd Francesco Redaelli, the coach Mauro Dessì and the deputy Alessandro Pilloni.
Despite an important absence – that of Davide Paulis, awarded as best player at the last Paralympics dedicated to Down syndrome – the team was able to face the competition with determination, demonstrating once again the value of teamwork.
In addition to Atletico Aipd, Basket Forever Formia, Anthrophos Civitanova and Fiorano Libertas Sassuolo, Inteam Latina, Don Orione Pozzuoli and Ostia Warriors also participated in the Italian Championship.
“Today”, we read in a note released by Aipd Oristano, “was particularly special thanks to the great participation of the public who filled the stands to support the athletes on the field, creating an atmosphere of celebration and sportsmanship. The awards ceremony, which took place at the end of the final, saw the presence of two exceptional guests: Assunta Legnante, athlete of the Italian Paralympic national team and gold medalist in the shot put, and the great basketball player Walter Magnifico, symbol of basketball Italian. Both rewarded the athletes, making the moment even more exciting and memorable for all participants.”
“We fought until the end, defeated only by bad luck under the basket and by an opponent who never gave up,” declared Atletico Aipd coach Mauro Dessì. “We had almost managed to achieve a great feat like that of the bronze medal. We played well, but we weren’t able to score, despite many, many, many shots. It’s a shame, but we’re happy: it was an experience that made us grow and gives us even more motivation for the future.”
Even the president of Atletico Francesco Redaelli wanted to underline the value of the experience: “Despite the fact that this year we didn’t manage to get on the podium, as our boys were used to, I have to say that perhaps it was one of the most beautiful and exciting championships we have done. They are wonderful guys who have formed a fantastic group, and for this we must first of all thank Mauro and Alessandro for their commitment and patience. I am truly happy and proud to be part of this wonderful family.”
“The Italian Championship”, concludes the note, “has once again confirmed the importance of sport as a means of overcoming personal limits, creating bonds and promoting social inclusion. The athletes showed determination, fair play and great team spirit, giving the public a tournament full of emotions and examples of resilience. Special thanks go to the organizers – Anthropos, Fisdir and Cip – and to all the coaches and supporters who accompanied these extraordinary kids in an unforgettable experience”.
