Sacred champion team of Benin season 2021-2022 among the gentlemen, the Management of Adjidja Handball Club headed by Jean Sodji organized a ceremony to present the trophy to the military hierarchy and celebrations. An event which saw the participation of Sidikou Karimou, President of the Executive Committee of the Beninese Handball Federation.
Great day atmosphere at the Saint Charbel festival hall in Cotonou this Saturday 18 February 2023. Far from established terrain and usual military protocols, players and officials of the Adjidja handball club team met with superiors of the Beninese army to celebrate the title of champion of Benin 2021-2022. The first crown for the military handball team.
Praise and commitments
While she took the reins of Adjidja Handball club, the new management team has given itself the mission of revitalizing competitive sports within the armed forces of Benin. Three years later, she is already celebrating a trophy. That of the Benin champion won by his men's team. “We have always said in our speeches that we came to shake up the hierarchy in handball. Nous n’avons pas fait que bousculer la hiérarchie … aujourd’hui. We have seriously overturned the hierarchy” declared Jean Sodji.
Looking towards future continental deadlines, the vice president sets the course : « Nous entendons aussi faire les choses autrement…En matière de sports, there are no fruitless dreams. You have to furnish your dream”. To do this, the vice-president of Adjidja HBC counts on the federation and the authorities at the highest level. “What awaits us can no longer be carried by our frail shoulders,” he said, reporting to the Chief of Staff of the Beninese Armed Forces.. A call that received a favorable response from his hierarchy. “In the army, it is to be and to last. You are champions and you are condemned to become Champions again,” indicated the Chief of Staff before reassuring his troops that the means will be made available for the champion of Benin to participate in African club competitions in good conditions in order to valiantly defend the Beninese flag. “You will have the means to go higher and stay. We will take the lead in all major competitive sports,” he promises.. Very motivated by this acquired title, General Fructueux Gbaguidi also recalled the objective he set for himself : “Making the Beninese armed forces the national sports breeding ground”.
Invited to celebrate the title with the new champions, Sidikou Karimou was quick to express his satisfaction. “Me as president, I'm happy that everyone who did the smart thing all fell and Adjidja is champion. Bravo” welcomed the president of the Beninese Handball Federation while congratulating the military team. But before, the president of the FBHB executive committee reminded the reigning champions of the adversity that awaits them. “The others are waiting for you because you were not favorites at the start of the championship. It is up to you to maintain the dynamic,” he recalled..
Only work pays
“We came to celebrate a title acquired after great struggles but above all on the basis of determination” indicates Jean Sodji at the outset, vice-president of Adjidja Handball club when presenting the trophy to his superiors and authorities of the Beninese armed forces. “You don’t become champion by chance. It’s through hard work, it’s through training, it is by being well organized that we become champions and you are,” added the Chief of Staff., Fruitful Gbaguidi.
Director General of CNHU emphasizes that this is a standard program for hospitals in developed countries, le président du comité exécutif de la fédération en donnant la grande leçon à retenir de ce sacré de Adjidja HBC. « Je pense que vous aviez donné une leçon à toute la famille du handball béninois. It’s work that pays. It's not on paper that we are champions. It’s not even the size of the checkbook that determines the champion, you showed it”. Opportunity for Sidikou Karimou to specify that his executive committee will do everything possible for all the teams competing in the championship. “The best will always win and nothing will be done off the field to prevent the champions from being champions,” insisted the president of the Beninese Handball Federation..
Time for the party
“After the effort, comfort” they say. The celebration ceremony had its full meaning because there was food to eat and the slab to be rinsed. An orchestra enhanced the party with live music. Moment of joy, dance steps are outlined to celebrate this historic title at Adjidja HBC. But even in the noise, a man in uniform remains lucid soldier.
“In the army you have to be and last. You are condemned to win,” said the army chief of staff, General Fructueux Gbaguidi.. Warned, players and technical staff promised to carry out the order unceremoniously. The other teams are therefore notified.
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