2023-07-04 22:57:29
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Reigning African Tchoukball champion, Benin is one of the two countries that will represent the African continent at the world championship which will take place from July 31 to August 6, 2023 in Prague in the Czech Republic. Less than a month from this expedition, the president of the Beninese federation, Roch Séro Bété, takes a tour of the preparation here, both administratively and sportingly. He did not fail to also mention the ambitions of the sixth nation in the world according to the latest ranking of the International Federation of Tchoukball (FITB).
The Precise Event: The Tchoukball World Cup will be held in early August 2023. What can we remember a few days before the start of this meeting in terms of preparations?
President Roch Séro Bété: Thank you very much, first of all, I would like to return for a moment to this event which, for us, is historic. The first continental trophy for indoor Tchoukball. I would like to thank again all the technical staff and the athletes for this feat which was achieved last August in Kampala, Uganda.
As you know, today we are faced with a great challenge. That of having Benin participate in the Tchoukball worlds from July 31 in Prague in the Czech Republic. Expectations are high since, since their return from Kampala, the team has been preparing. Because athletes know they have this challenge. They would not want to go and do poorly at the world level. Athletes are motivated, they give everything they can to be at their best. But obviously, there are many challenges that remain to be met to be sure that the Beninese team will indeed be present at this international call. And in addition, that she will be there in the best conditions so that the athletes can give the best of themselves. That is not won yet.
What still remains to be done so that Benin can really be at this meeting and how many will be in Prague?
We have taken the steps for a while so that we can be present. Benin has planned a delegation of 15 members (athletes, management and official). It must be said that the number is really limited because of financial difficulties. Even for those who are selected, the game is not yet over. Because we always encounter the difficulties of being able to mobilize the means to make them leave. We are knocking on all doors as we are used to doing. We try to exchange with the authorities in charge of sport. But it’s really not easy. Athletes must be present in Prague on July 31. They must leave by July 26 at the latest. This part hasn’t been done yet. But we don’t lose hope, we don’t lose courage. We continue to work. We strive and we really count on the support of the authorities in charge of national sport to allow these young people to go and defend the national colors.
We are doing everything we can to ensure that “Malaysia 2019” does not repeat itself. Because indeed, in 2018 we were African champion of beach Tchoukball and therefore qualified as such to be present at the world championship. But this was not done for lack of means. But here again we find ourselves in the same situation. But we hope, we believe and we make every effort to ensure that this does not happen again. When abroad, you are forced to say that it is for lack of means or this and that that your country could not move. It hurts for his country, it hurts to have to qualify and not be able to run for similar reasons. I really hope that this can be settled so that we can have the means to send the whole delegation and to have the athletes play in the best possible conditions.
In view of all these difficulties, what message do you have for potential sponsors, patrons and personalities of the country? Especially since it is the honor of the country that is at stake?
We need resources, we need support. As I usually say, the federation would especially like entities, personalities, organizations to be able to take charge of all parts of the organization. People’s fear is to put liquidity in the hands of the federations. We are in favor of partnerships where bodies will pay for the ticket of one, two or three people in the delegation. Or even bear part of the participation costs and so on. Because as they say “It’s the small rivers that make the big lakes”. I would therefore like to launch an appeal to the entire Beninese nation, to all those who are in sport, telling them that Tchoukball shines, works wonders, brings back medals, then puts Benin in honor and reveals Beninese sport to the international level. It would be a pity if these athletes who have made so much effort, do not find themselves at this great meeting of their passion for lack of means. On a budget of approximately 25 million, we are not yet completely at the third. So we hope that the whole of Benin stands up behind us and helps us so that this outing of the Beninese national team can be a success.
Interview conducted by Anselme HOUENOUKPO
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