The collaboration aims to provide ultra-high-resolution weather forecasts before and during Lega Pro matches
On the morning of Sunday 13 November, at the Prospero Rendella civic library in Monopoli, in the presence of President of the Lega Pro Francesco Ghirelli, by Brigadier General Luca Baione Permanent Representative of Italy to the World Meteorological Organization, of Mayor of Monopoli Angelo Annese and the Vice President of S.S. Monopoli 1966 Paolo Tavano, the agreement for the experimental meteorological service on Lega Pro match days was presented.
The agreement, which represents a further service to the national community provided by the Italian Air Force, provides a service for fans heading to the stadium on the day of the match and will allow professionals to know precisely, up to three days in advance, the weather conditions at the sites of interest, thus providing additional decision-making support for the optimal management of events in the event of possible adverse phenomena.
Lega Pro President Francesco Ghirelli, during his speech, pointed out that “the collaboration undertaken with the Italian Air Force enables us to provide a useful service to our clubs. Knowing the weather forecasts related to matches in advance can help with organisation at a time when the climate emergency is a major issue. The Italian Air Force is a world leader in the meteorology sector and is a point of reference for all citizens with its professionalism and rigor.
“The Italian Air Force, always at the service of the community – continued Brigadier General Luca Baione – it has launched a partnership with Lega Pro, with which it shares the same values of loyalty, respect, spirit of service and sense of discipline that underpin their respective activities. This partnership involves the supply of objective, very high spatial resolution weather forecasts for the sports facilities hosting the football matches of the Lega Pro“.
The Mayor of Monopoli, Angelo Annese, after expressing his pleasure at hosting the presentation of this innovative project, stated:“...the City of Monopoli, along with its football team, is one of the participating municipalities that will make use of the expertise of the National Centre for Aerospace Meteorology and Climatology of Pratica di Mare for accurate forecasts for matches taking place at the Vito Simone Veneziani stadium“.
After thanking all the participants at the event, the Vice President of S.S. Monopoli 1966, Paolo Tavano, concluded as follows:“I thank the Italian Air Force for the great contribution it offers to all Lega Pro clubs by providing information on weather conditions in the cities where the matches take place.
Finally, the day featured the Fanfare of the Bari Schools Command of the Italian Air Force – the body responsible for the recruitment, training and specialisation of young military personnel – which played Mameli's Anthem, an emblem of national unity, prior to the S.S. Monopoli 1966 – Calcio Foggia 1920 football match.
