BUSTO ARSIZIO – A new, colourful face for the playground of the Brazzelli parkalongside the IPC Verri. Niccolò Sartoni, the professor of the Melzi Institute of Legnano with a passion for the ball (he played for Basket Busto Arsizio) who passed away at just 29 years old in the summer of 2020 after having fought against a melanoma, he couldn’t wait to “inaugurate” it with a basketball in his hand. And it is precisely in the memory of him that the MelaGioco associationchaired by the life partner of “Niko”, Chiara Lorelloinvested the sum of 40 thousand euros to finance the renovation works and the painting, curated by Francesca Cassani, in “Nine in the Paint” artstreet artist and also a basketball player.
The 3vs3 tournament for “Niko”
The basketball court is currently “wrapped up” by construction tape: it will be officially unveiled on Saturday 29 June, with a 3vs3 basketball and basketball tournament dedicated to Niccolò Sartoni. Appointment starting at 11, when the ribbon will be cut: you enter from the gate overlooking the Sempione. Every year the friends of “Niko” gather for remember him the way he would have preferred, on a basketball court: this edition of the tournament is record-breaking, with well 24 teams registered, both men’s and women’splus the baskin demonstration.
The redevelopment
The redevelopment works were carried out by the municipal administration with the contribution of 30 thousand euros offered by the MeLa Gioco associationa reality created in memory of Niccolò Sartoni, who is committed to «promote social inclusion through sporting events and recreational activities, medical prevention, research against melanoma and the right to study”. The works involved the reconstruction of the fund, the redevelopment of existing baskets, the replacement of benches, baskets and other accessories serving the field. But the MelaGioco association also wanted it donate painting and decoration of the playing field, works worth 10,000 euros. And they were 100 volunteers, of all ageswho lent a hand to help Francesca “Nine in the Paint” Cassani paint the playground. In the midfield circle there is the logo of the MelaGioco association with a basketball from which rays branch out and cut across the entire surface: it is the sign of “Niko”’s presence.
The presentation
To present the regeneration of the “campetto del Verri”, yesterday 27th June at Palazzo Gilardoni there were Sports Councillor Maurizio Artusathe president of MelaGioco Chiara Lorellola street artist Francesca Cassani and the father of “Niko”, Lorenzo Sartoni. This initiative it’s “an example” for Councilor Artusa. Now everyone’s hope is that after the inauguration the field, which has always been a point of reference for street basketball in the city, be respected and kept intactwith the association already ready to commit to its ordinary maintenance.
Busto, the pitch of the Brazzelli park gets a makeover. In the name of Niccolò Sartoni
bust arsizio boars basketball court – MALPENSA24
