Tragedy as former basketball champion Paola Mauriello dies after glittering career

A former national basketball champion has died aged 44 after a battle with illness.

Paola Mauriello passed away in hospital on Sunday morning, surrounded by her family. She won gold with the Italy Women's National Basketball Team at the 2009 Mediterranean Games.

Paola also claimed a league title and a Supercup with Napoli Basket Vomero. Originally from Benevento, in Italy's south-western Campania region, her Serie A career saw her play as a forward for teams across the country.

Later, she worked for the Italian Basketball Federation (FIP) in Italy's central Abruzzo region, where she was responsible for developing women's basketball. Paola died in Pescara, Abruzzo, where she was president of the Yellow Wave Pescara club.

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A spokesperson described her as "beautiful inside and out, strong and brave, yet kind and sensitive". FIP Abruzzo president Francesco Di Girolamo said: "I keep thinking about that day not so long ago when you first received your test results and asked me to contact a top specialist, hoping to chase away those fears.

"Then came the harsh confirmation after the immediate check-up, and that's when your calm, peaceful fight against the illness began " calm to us, at least.

"You'd won so many battles on the court, but this one didn't end the way you wanted or the way we all hoped. From that day on, every time we spoke was a flicker of hope. Now it feels empty.

"I wanted you by my side because I always believed in your dedication to our basketball Abruzzo basketball which you carried in your heart. Your ideas, your advice, your opinions especially for the girls so they could grow up to be like you."

Paola is survived by her husband Antonello, her young son Luciano, her parents Maria and Giovanna, her sister Mariolina, and her brother Antonio.

Her funeral was held on Monday in Francavilla al Mare, Abruzzo. Mr Di Girolamo added: "Your smile and your unstoppable fighting spirit will stay with us forever."

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