2023-11-12 22:19:55
“My players will never forget, some had tears…” The voice of Kamel Saouchi, coach of the French amputee football team and manager of Paris FC, betrays his deep emotion. For the first time, a disabled football team participated in the Champions League this weekend in Malaga (Spain), under the colors of a French professional club.
“Often when you’re a player, you wear a club’s tracksuit out of obligation, but for my players, it’s out of love for this crest,” continues Kamel Saouchi. At Orly airport, here in Malaga, we were stopped by people who told us: you are Paris FC, that’s good! For us, it’s extraordinary! Having joined a club like Paris FC is a form of recognition. I’m so happy for my players, some of whom have been with me for 10 or 15 years. It’s the best gift anyone could give me after the birth of my children. »
All internationals, Paris FC’s disabled football players, 90% of whom are casualties of life, train twice a week in the club’s facilities at the Déjerine stadium (Paris XXth). In previous seasons, they played in the Jouy-le-Moutier club (95) with whom they were crowned champions of France. It all started with a phone call, a little over a year ago, from Ahmed Bouajaj (general secretary of the Paris League) to Patrick Gobert, the president of the Paris FC Association.
“The free operation in Charléty, handifootball, everything is connected”
“He told me: I only see you in relation to your social and inclusion values to welcome them,” rewinds Patrick Gobert. We met with Kamel Saouchi and we immediately hit it off. We organized awareness days in Déjerine and Orly with our young people. That day, our president Pierre Ferracci had a very busy schedule, he only had to spend a few minutes, he stayed two hours… He was impressed by what he saw. We therefore decided to create a disabled football section which is an integral part of the club. The free operation that we launched in Charléty, the handifootball, everything is connected. In all of these operations, Paris FC’s values of solidarity shine through. Seeing the enthusiasm of these players is really refreshing. »
Patrick Gobert was present in Malaga this weekend with a small delegation from Paris FC. The team took 7th place in this Champions League, with three defeats and a victory against the Georgians this Sunday. “The level was very high,” explains Kamel Saouchi. In the Turkish team that beat us 11-0 on the first day, some players are paid 3,000 or 4,000 euros a month and do just that. We all have a job on the side, we are independent in our lives. »
Paris FC Handifoot players in their locker room. (DR/Paris FC)
But beyond the sporting aspect, the main thing was also elsewhere for these players. “What binds us is first and foremost the human adventure, a life lesson,” continues the manager. We are first and foremost here to share moments and the values of sport. It’s a big family that comes together around all this. »
Educator in Hauts-de-Seine, Kamel Saouchi has played at a good level among young people (Ajaccio, Paris FC, Bayer Leverkusen). “But I made the choice of family. Afterwards, I was in an accident in 2008. I have an invisible disability. »
Proof of the involvement of Paris FC, he will soon sign a contract there. “I will be the first employee there with a disability. I don’t have the words to describe what I feel. To now be part of the Paris FC family, to have met such great people, it’s extraordinary and it means a lot to my players and me. I thank everyone, Pierre Ferracci, Patrick Gobert, Samia, Hugo and all the people at the club. We will be able to build beautiful things together. »
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