BRINDISI – The tenth edition of the International tournament “Brindisi Porta del Salento” was, as per tradition, a celebration of sport and friendship, but it will be remembered for the relationship that was established with the “friends” from Algeria, who were enthusiastic about the welcome and the beauty of the territory. The final, a derby between the cities, preceded by the Italian anthem sung live by Alessandra Stomati from Brindisi, was played, with the stands of the PalaZumbo packed with kids, parents, fans and professionals, between New Basket Brindisi and Aurora Basket Brindisi. The latter won the 2024 tournament with a score of 64 to 78. All the other teams tied for third place, in the spirit of the initiative that favors human relationships, friendship, loyalty, respect and consideration, rather than the competitive part.
The “Roberto Buscicchio” award, historic sports manager of Libertas Brindisi, was presented by his daughter, Cinzia Buscicchio, to the Honorable Mauro D’Attis, parliamentarian from Brindisi and vice president of the Anti-Mafia commission, for his commitment towards the territory, while the mayor of Brindisi, Giuseppe Marchionna presented the medal of the presidency of the Senate of the Republic. A plaque in memory of Rodolfo Trabacca, remembered by all as “Foffo”, historic regional president of Fip Puglia, was delivered to the police commissioner of Brindisi, Giampietro Lionetti, for the results obtained in terms of public order during the G7 summit.
The commissioner also received the medal of the presidency of the Chamber of Deputies from Mauro D’Attis. The plaque in memory of Luigi Mellone, known to all Gigi, historic president of the zonal and regional committee of the FIP, was delivered by his widow Rita Perugino to the former Serie A referee, Cosimo Corsa. The former master of sport, Gianni Russo, presented the plaque in memory of “Peppino Todisco”, one of the supporters of basketball in the province of Brindisi, to the Algerian coach Taoui Amine, coach of the Rouiba Club Basketball.
The “Fabiano Ventruto” prize, basketball player and friend of Robur Brindisi, to whom the mini-basketball center is dedicated, was awarded to the best player of the tournament, which a commission of technicians identified as Aurora Basket athlete Davide Roma: the mayor of Brindisi, Giuseppe Marchionna, presented the plaque.
The Elio Pentassuglia award was awarded to the coach, who showed throughout the tournament that he had best transmitted the training and educational principles of basketball: Ivano Rolli, Regional President of the Italian Sports Center, presented the award to Antonio Monaco , coach of Mens Sana Mesagne. The fair play plaque in memory of Gigi Maiorano, historic manager from Brindisi, was awarded to Alessandra Siccardi, manager of Aurora Basket Brindisi for her commitment to promoting the ethical values of sport and for her constant willingness to collaborate. Best scorer of the tournament, Claudio Malagoli award, was won by Manuel Sponziello, of Aurora Basket. The most technical player, identified as Tommaso Paparella, registered with Basket Fasano, received the “Mino Marchese” award, a friend of Robur Brindisi who passed away prematurely.
This year too the organizers wanted to establish the “Vincenzo Baldassarre” award, for all Enzo, who passed away prematurely, a public administrator, a correct and generous person, as well as a fan and basketball enthusiast. The prize was awarded to the entrepreneur Baldassarre Silvestri Colitti of the Ristosì company, licensee of the “Mc Donald’s” brand: the prize was collected by Federica Colitti, People manager. As part of the “Grow with sport” project carried out every year by the Asd Robur Brindisi, two awards were presented: to Mattia Stefano, doctor, municipal councilor and former basketball player for Mens Sana Mesagne; to Vincenzo Sicilia, entrepreneur, new councilor for the Municipality of Mesagne and former basketball player for Mens Sana Mesagne. A plaque of thanks from the organizers was given to Vito Maci for his collaboration as contact person for the Torre Santa Susanna playing field.
This year, Robur Brindisi wanted to establish a special recognition, created in collaboration with Mens Sana Mesagne, a company with which it collaborated for 20 years, in memory of Angelo Greco, for all of us Angelone, a rare example of a dedicated volunteer to associations, which passed away last year. The award, aimed at technicians, managers and operators in the sports world, will enhance the commitment of a person who has been able to distinguish himself through perseverance and dedication during his daily activity in favor of others and capable of interpreting, on and off the field, the social value of sport as a tool for inclusion and integration. For this edition the prize, presented by his widow, Rosanna Calabrese, was awarded to Francesca Tortorella of Mens Sana Mesagne, a historic collaborator of Angelo Greco and always close to the coach in the organization and management of the groups of the Mesagne company.
Then, the awarding of all the teams and referees who directed the tournament games by some administrators present, including the mayor of Fasano, Francesco Zaccaria, the deputy mayor of Torre Santa Susanna, Nicola Tieni, the councilor of the Municipality of Mesagne, Anna Maria Scalera, the President of the City Council, Gabriele Antonino, the sports councilor Lidia Penta, the councilors Luciano Loiacono, Ernestina Sicilia and Daniela Maglie, and the regional vice president of the Italian Basketball Federation, Pino Olive). The second place, New Basket Brindisi, was awarded by the Police Chief of Brindisi, Giampietro Lionetti, while the winner of the tenth edition, Aurora Basket Brindisi, received the Trophy directly from the hands of the Mayor of Brindisi, Giuseppe Marchionna.
In conclusion, Asd Robur Brindisi intends to highlight the friendly relationship that has been created with the Algerian team of Rouiba Club Basketball: the company and the Algerian Vice Consul for southern Italy, Layachi Aidouni, present at the ceremony, donated to the The mayors who hosted the tournament, the local MP, Mauro D’Attis, the Police Commissioner, Giampietro Lionetti, and the organizers received some recognition and a personalized shirt from the Algerian team as a sign of esteem and friendship.
