CASALE MONFERRATO. The news concerning the Casalesi comes from Tortona, on the side of Derthona Basket, the company that plays Serie A home games in the city, not having a facility with a minimum capacity for the category. Yesterday 29 October the club sent a statement on the eve of the match with Bologna announcing the change of name of the Casale building.
«Starting today – we read -, the correct“ naming ”to use is PalaEnergica Paolo Ferraris (the plant in the photo)». No one in Casale had made it official, but the mayor Federico Riboldi remarks: «We chose the name that we had also proposed to the Paolo Ferraris association, the one that reported the full name of the person who most wanted the building. I do not understand the controversy, especially from those who pretend not to remember the resolution approved in 2018, under the administration of Titti Palazzetti, which provided for sponsorships for the PalaFerraris. In the council were present Assunta Prato, widow of Ferraris, and Davide Sorisio. They did not contest the resolution ».
«It is an agreement between the manager and the subsidiary Energica – says the councilor for Sport, Luca Novelli -. The name of Ferraris must be respected, but sponsorships are the order of the day in the world of sport. The aid will be used to keep tariffs low. The presidents of Energica, Paolo Secco, and of AMC, Fabrizio Amatelli, will remember the figure of Ferraris with various initiatives ».
“I am sorry that my point of view and that of the association was not understood and shared – replies Assunta Prato, widow of Ferraris -. The addition of the new name for commercial purposes obscures the memory of Paolo. The current choice is an improvement, given that there was a huge “PalaEnergica” camped on the building. But how many in common parlance will indicate the structure with the full name “PalaEnergica Paolo Ferraris” ?. With the abbreviated name, my husband’s memory will be darkened. I hope that everyone will continue to call the building “Palaferraris”, as they have done since it was named in 1998, showing him the due gratitude ».
“The small amount of sponsorship – says Davide Sorisio, president of the association – does not justify the new title”. Just yesterday Sorisio made a request to the Municipality for an exhibition on the life of Ferraris, to be exhibited at the building. «It is a graphic novel of six panels – explains Prato – made with the students of the Leardi Institute. It will illustrate his life and his accomplishments ».
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