Many know or hear his name. But very few associate it with a face. Sidikou Karimou, business man, culture and sport now presides over the destinies of Beninese handball.
His calm seduces. Her hair look challenges : bushy hair, neatly trimmed beard and mustache. A vintage style, which supplants an imposing physique. A true force of nature. In Cotonou, Sidikou Karimou is part of the upper middle class. This caste that circulates a golden spoon in the mouth. But the discretion of the character contrasts with his lifestyle. An insolent luxury that confuses. The businessman squats in one of the classiest corners of Benin. He collects cars, drives around in a range rover without the fuss. A polite and polite character who made his fortune in communication and events.
Musique
The 40-year-old also owns one of the most prestigious music production houses in Benin.. “Blue Diamond” produit entre autres Fanicko. The nugget of Beninese music does not hesitate to wink at it in its productions. Beautiful well-crafted words, un name dropping ou “libanga” bien enrobé. «Sidikou Karimou» glisse-t-il entre deux couplets ou dans les derniers vers.
Enough to captivate this lover of beautiful notes. Car, even if Sidikou produces Afrobeat or RNB enthusiasts, it is in the zouglou that the child of Parakou takes his foot. A soundtrack that resonates through the speakers of his vehicle and available in the Play List of his mobile phone.
Ce rythme et ces paroles souvent acides à la sauce ivoirienne ont conquis l’ancien crack du lycée Mathieu Bouké. Il est d’ailleurs très souvent présent sur les bords de la lagune Ébrié. For his business, but also for showbiz "As much as he was brilliant in the studies, as much as he knows good music” comments one of these former collaborators.
Sports enthusiast
On the feet as in the hands, Sidikou practiced and still practices sports. From youthful recklessness to the experience of the boss, he will have toasted with football but also handball. And it is in this last discipline that he distinguished himself. Former flower player, one of the best handball clubs in Benin, the brand new president of the Benin Handball Federation arrives on familiar ground.
His knowledge of sport goes far beyond football and handball
Sidikou is a tennis fan. As much able to speak of the elegance of Novak Djokovic as of the efficiency of Raphaël Nadal. He knows Andy Murray, Gael Monfils, Juan Martin del colt, Kei Nishikori or Alexis Klégou, Because the event is unique and the sporting public is waiting for us”, Gloriana Nahum, Carmine Becoundé. He has his own snowshoes, these big brand t-shirts but also these white socks that fix his ankle and the beginning of his calves. On the courts, he no longer has the freshness of a kid but manages in a cadenced choreography. A body language that translates well his passion for the little yellow ball.
Œnophile
Between two meetings, Sidikou Karimou est au “Matelot”, a chic restaurant in the living hedge (upscale district of Cotonou). His meals always accompanied by a good wine. The man is a hardened oenophile. Sometimes even around the meal, he speaks vintage, commente la saveur du vin. Mais juste après, he is already fully in his professional occupations : "A job well done again and again guys" A favorite phrase known to all its employees. When he can, Sidikou searches a book, sa distraction favorite. No wonder his speaking is exquisite.
Robert KEKELY