Akouvi Clarisse Hounzali: From handball courts to the toga

Sports and Studies go hand in hand ! This rule, Akouvi Clarisse Hounzali confirms it through her career, both athletic and professional. Third Vice-President of the Benin Handball Federation (FBHB), she is one of the few Beninese sportswomen who honor the fairer sex in the Beninese sports landscape in general, and in handball in particular by deciding to serve his passion despite his professional life as a lawyer at the Benin Bar.

Indeed, it all started in elementary school, Come in 1990 and 1996 when she discovered her taste for sport and began to try handball within the team of the Public Primary School Sètovi, Group A, without really understanding the rules of the game. It, it is obviously Akouvi Clarisse Hounzali-Houngbédji who, after obtaining his Primary School Certificate (POCKET) in 1996, pursues his passion for sports in secondary school. Very early, at the age of 13 years, it was unearthed by Mr. Daniel Tchango, then teacher and coach of the women's team at Collège Mégan. Holder in the women's handball team of her college, she asserts herself, wins and explodes during school handball matches. Continuing his studies at the College of General Education (Amnesty International Benin says no to rape) "THE Nokoue", she is asked by the Bon Berger college and others to strengthen their teams during certain competitions. *

This is how during a session at the Stade de l'Amitié in Cotonou, she discovered that she could play in a civilian club. She became a member of the ASA Handball Club in 1999. She plays there as a pivot and half-center. After a level improvement course with Baobab de Lokossa in 2000, she will be coveted and recruited by Siamois Handball Club where she will play for three seasons. In 2004, she passed the Baccalaureate and entered the University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC). Her new student status allows her to join the university team, UAC Dames Handball Club. She will thus participate in several University Games at the international level.. But held by the desire to evolve at the highest level, she signs her transfer to Flowers HBC, courant 2008-2009.

Right full-back and centre-half, the new recruit of the flowers has not ceased to be talked about in the middle. Fast, energetic and lively, Akouvi Clarisse Hounzali-Houngbédji was the pride of coaches Valère Lawin and Aimé Sebio. With Flowers, she was crowned champion of Benin several times, notably in 2001, 2005, 2012 and 2014. Benefits that have earned him a taste of the delights of the national Ladies Handball team. More, his “early” entry into the job market, will not give him time to express himself beyond the qualities of a good athlete that the sporting public knows him to be.

The ascent

Promoted to President of the Transitional Professional Handball League Attached to sport and its handball, President Sidikou Karimou calls on him to set up his office within the Beninese Handball Federation (FBHB). And at the end of the elections on Saturday, 25 September 2021 to the Injeps of Porto-Novo to renew the executive office of the body, Akouvi Clarisse Hounzali-Houngbédji was elected Third Vice-President of the FBHB. A first for the former handball player who, few weeks later, was also promoted to the head of the presidency of the Transitional Professional League (LPT) of handball from Benin on behalf of the sports season 2021-2022. An office of seven members responsible for organizing the Professional Handball Championship called National Pro League 2022 (LNP). By trusting a woman to lead this important League, the FBHB and its president Sidikou Karimou offer a place of choice to the fairer sex and advocate gender equality. It is also for the first time that such a post (all sports disciplines combined in Benin, Editor's note) is entrusted to a woman. It is therefore right that in March 2022, she was selected and received the "LE HERAUT JUF 2022" trophy, in the “WOMEN HERAUT SPORT” category.

But before, an exceptional academic career…

From the department of Mono (in Benin), Akouvi Clarisse Hounzali was born on 20 mars 1985 in Libreville, Gabon. From a sibling of 12 children, she was enrolled in school at the age of five and respectively obtained her Certificate of Primary Studies in 1996, at the Sètovi Public Primary Class, Group A, then his Brevet d’Etudes du Premier Cycle (BEPC) in 2000 at the General Education College “Le Nokoué”. She had an exceptional course, to see their school results. After his BEPC, she continued general education and obtained in 2004, his Baccalaureate, Series B and in 2005, another bachelor's degree, G1 series. in november 2004, she returned to the University of Abomey-Calavi and enrolled in the Faculty of Rights and Political Sciences (FADESP). in parallel, and to fill his off hours, she participates and passes the entry test for the first student newspaper in Benin, "THE HERAUT" where, after his internship, she will become a member and will hold some positions of responsibility.

After exactly four years at FADESP, Akouvi Clarisse successively obtained her Bachelor's degree in Business Law and Judicial Careers (2006-2007) and his Masters in Business Law and Judicial Careers (2007-2008).  in november 2013, she obtains her Certificate of Aptitude for the profession of Lawyer (CAPA), Faculty of Law, University of Abomey-calavi (Benign) then in 2014, his Diploma of Advanced Studies (DEA) in Human Rights and Democracy, Unesco Chair, University of Abomey-Calavi (Benign) while she prepares to enter the Bar of Benin. The 27 November 2014, Akouvi Clarisse Hounzali-Houngbédji takes the oath of Lawyer.

 Clarisse Hounzali and pleadings a matter of love

The incompatibility between the legal profession and teaching in high schools and colleges (in his days), will force him to deposit the keys to devote himself only to the activities of the Bar. Thus, on the occasion of the pleadings competition at the Benin Bar, as part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Benin Bar Association, Me Clarisse Hounzali beat out her competitors and was crowned the big winner of the pleadings competition, Thursday 16 avril 2015. This, in front of Masters Raoul Placide Houngbédji and Olga Anassidé. Likewise, during his lawyer internship, she participated in several moot court competitions and was awarded as such, several other prizes. It was the beginning of realizing his professional dream. And now, an unparalleled professional life… Registered on the grand roll of the Benin Bar Association, in 2017, she will opt for individual practice for a year before joining a legal partnership with other colleagues. Associate lawyer, within the Professional Civil Society of Lawyer Houngbedji and Hounzali, abbreviated SCPA 2H Conseils et Associés, Maître Akouvi Clarisse Hounzali-Houngbédji is passionate about Communication for having made several experiences in the field. Married and mother of children, Lawyer at the Benin Bar, member of the Association of Women Lawyers of Benin (AFA-B), she has, not only a great capacity for adaptation, of integration and morality but also, and especially, great listening skills, of discussing, analysis and teamwork.

Awards

In addition to his notoriety, she does not miss an opportunity to impact her society and this, through several acts that she poses. His dynamism earned him in August 2021, the trophies for the “Woman of impact” distinction in the business manager category. Through this recognition, it is all his knowledge and know-how that are thus haloed. the CAF Referees Committee entrusts them with the heavy task of certain matches 2022, she is contacted and participates in the writing of "SORORITE CHERIE", a collective led by Carmen F. Toudonou. She signs a text entitled "United for a better world". In July 2022, light is put on Akouvi Clarisse Hounzali-Houngbédji in the book "The impact of women". Love to read, television, the music, she never stops, whenever she gets the chance, to participate in training in order to update their knowledge and professional skills. She is also called upon to facilitate training, etc. Beyond his professional and even family concerns, she finds a place of choice for her discipline of heart. Maître Akouvi Clarisse Hounzali-Houngbédji is therefore an example that should serve as a school in the Beninese sports landscape, particularly at the level of young sports girls..

Source: Chabala/FBHB