Euloge Dossou : “Creating your own sports company is now a reality with Flowers Hbc”

The National Social Security Fund (CNSS) and the Hbc Flowers joined hands to professionalize sports in Benin starting from handball. Long-term objective : get Beninese athletes out of the precariousness that fills their daily lives to offer them a minimum of social security. Euloge Dossou, responsible, this club that brings rain and shine to Beninese handball, revealed to us,  through this interview, the highlights of this partnership with the National Social Security Fund.

How did you get there? ?

The union between the National Social Security Fund and Flowers Hbc, more than a combination of circumstances, it is a divine work. The CNSS (National Social Security Fund, editor's note), state structure, wanted to give substance to the government project which is the creation of sports societies in order to develop professional sport in Benin. Moïse Achille Houssou suggested that the Government will intensify support measures for the private sector and Artisans both in terms of the business climate and support for financing and the development of partnerships to achieve its objective., She wanted to invest in handball very early on. Les Flowers (Men and ladies), champions of Benin for more than 10 years, stood out as the focal point of this project ; rest, they lack the means to cross national borders. Given that on the national level, we have nothing left to prove, it was then essential that we get closer to a structure capable of providing us with the means to achieve our ambition, which is to also shine in international competitions.. Long and fruitful discussions with the leaders of the CNSS Sports Society, what emerged was a perfect synergy of dreams. So, we agreed that the technical aspect would be provided by Flowers and that the CNSS would take care of the financial aspect. The two structures have therefore taken the step to put their skills together to make Beninese handball shine on the continental level..

What are the implications of this partnership ?

Through this partnership, the Flowers have ceded the professional side to the Sports Society of the National Social Security Fund which will take care of the men's and women's teams of our training. She will have to transform them into professional teams. Which now implies that the athletes will have a salary accompanied by all the accessories. More, they will only play handball. otherwise, the company will have to invest in training. With this partnership, Flowers Hbc teams will not disappear. They will continue to exist. The senior men’s and women’s teams who will participate in the professional championship will be entirely supported by this sports company.. As well, will she invest in the age categories (both boys and girls) to prepare for the succession. The training component is all the more important as it will be carried out with the help of specialized coaches.. Sport being an industry, Flowers now constitutes a commercial and marketing support. The financial benefits will return to the CNSS.

How will co-management be carried out in concrete terms? ?

The professional side is reserved for the sports company of the National Social Security Fund and the technical side is provided by Flowers. Everyone therefore plays their role.

New formula, new challenges. Tell us, what are the objectives set ?

The current challenge, it is to participate in the next African Cups with style and not for honor. We are also aiming for the title of champion locally and for all other competitions such as the Benin Cup and the League Cup.. Which will allow us to participate in the African Cup Winners’ Cups.

Your final word

We have a duty to succeed to prove that the government was not mistaken in initiating the Sports Society. This will allow other state structures or private companies to take an interest in other handball clubs which, in their turn, will have the chance to benefit from such a partnership. I am convinced that with rigor in management and organization with this displayed determination, we can achieve the goals we are assigned. May this noble project extend to other disciplines so that sport can finally achieve better results..

Interview by : Damien TOLOMISSI