Inauguration of the International Pétanque Training Center (CIFOP) : The missing gem

Ball sports lovers can now be proud. Benin has the very first International Pétanque Training Center (CIFOP) in the world. The inauguration of this jewel, work of the honorable Gilbert Bagana, was carried out by the Minister of Sports, Oswald Homeky and the president of the International Federation of Pétanque and Provençal Game.

After two years of work smoothly carried out despite the pandemic situation, the International Pétanque Training Center, very first masterpiece of bowls sports in the world is now a reality in Benin. The magnificent building, located in Djadjo in the commune of Abomey-Calavi and built on an area of 1500 m2, personal initiative of the honorable Gilbert Bagana is now available for round iron enthusiasts.

Made up of a technical system to train young people and prepare experienced players, playing fields that meet international standards, a framework for theoretical training (rooms), of a referees’ stand, a compartment serving as a conclave place for the referees, of a canteen, parking and accommodation rooms for players and trainees ( and others are under construction), this new infrastructure meets the needs expressed by practitioners of this sporting discipline during multiple consultations and exchanges with, especially, of the Beninese Pétanque Federation and the Ministry of Sports involved in the construction and use of this sports center dedicated exclusively to ball sports. “It’s first and foremost my passion for this discipline. When I started, I noticed that pétanque was a challenging game. And it encourages you to be regular at sport. And after, I met Guy Tronou, the National Technical Director. He told him that as a political administrative authority, he noticed that this discipline which is interesting, practiced in the streets, in the Vons. And he put forward the idea of ​​creating a small framework to practice this sport. It was from this little idea that the center was born”, confided the promoter of CIFOP, Gilbert Bagana. He says he is unable to assess the cost but notes that he has had input from other people while recalling that this discipline is practicable at all ages.. " SO, the center is open to elderly people wanting to practice this discipline to stay in shape. It is also open to young Beninese or Africans wishing to pursue a professional career in this sport”, he said while thanking the Beninese government through the Minister of Sports. “With the reforms undertaken by the Beninese government in the field of sport through the Ministry of Sports, it is our duty to provide satisfactory results. Thanks to the man of vision, The head of state, Patrice Talon. “We are honored and amazed. We promise to always be at your side for the total success of this center which is now ours”, suggested the Secretary General of the Beninese Pétanque Federation, Casimir Djossou.

Claude Azéma amazed

According to the president of the International Federation of Pétanque and Provençal Game, it is the only infrastructure in the world of this kind. " This site, I met him by chance. It was Guy Tronou who brought me there last year and I discovered it under construction. And I said it's something exceptional. And see him move forward like that, not completely finished but in working condition, I can tell you that it is the only infrastructure in the world of this kind. Only Thailand is starting to make a place that will serve as both a meeting room, petanque competitions and training », he hammered.

Satisfaction of the Minister of Sports

“I am on a reconnaissance visit. I came to recognize the effort of this great man, The Honorable Gilbert Bagana. I came to recognize the effort of all those who worked to keep this sport alive in Benin”, will say the Minister of Sports, Oswald Homeky. He recalled that at the time when the Écureuils boulistes achieved the feat of being the vice-champions of the world by eliminating the major pétanque countries, it did not exist in Benin, no bowling alley. " Besides, there is not yet a bowling alley meeting international standards in Benin. When we are in a country where by the simple expression of passion, people can like a discipline, practice it, compete nationally, on the continental level and go on to win equally important titles on the international level, we owe it to ourselves as a leader to support them. It is for this reason that there was a significant increase in state subsidy. He notes that compared to all those that bowlers achieve, the government is not yet at the level it wants to be with this sport”.

He stressed that Benin will have one of the finest facilities in the world for the practice of ball sport.. “And I can tell you that the project which is underway on the fishing route for which the Head of State himself traveled to allocate the site for which the International Federation recommended to us an architect with whom Benin entered into contract, and which is now in the detailed preliminary project phase, will be one of the most beautiful facilities on the world map of ball sport. This is why I would still like, on behalf of the government, thank and congratulate our brother and friend the honorable Gilbert Bagana and all those who support and accompany him”. For the Beninese sports boss, this gem will solve a lot of problems. “The move towards professionalization is not an improvisation. There are steps and what happens here, this is one of the steps. Create a center where we can train athletes as well, that the supervisors and those who are responsible for the administration of the discipline, it is an obligatory step to move towards professionalism. We do not have the means or the pretension to professionalize everything on the same day. But step by step, day after day, discipline after discipline, we hope to lead the country to the full professionalization of sport. I want to thank you again because you once again had the genius to directly seek a good partnership”, he agreed.

Note that the International Pétanque Training Center (CIFOP) signed a partnership with the International Pétanque Teaching Center based in Sergines in France, created by one of the best trainers in the world, Claude Raluy.

Damien TOLOMISSI