Football tournament: In Fontanilles, Mende, 19 young people won their place to attend the 2024 Paralympic Games

magictr | April 9, 2024 | Health | No Comments

The teams were composed of 4 to 6 players. FREE NOON – ANAÏS DA SILVA

The football tournament was organized by the youth service of the City of Mende, at the Fontanilles city stadium. Four teams – the two best females and the two best males – have won their ticket to attend the athletics final of the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.

This is a first in Fontanilles. A football tournament was organized, Monday April 8, 2024, by the youth service of the City of Mende. "Here, football is the sport number 1 practiced by young people", says Youcef, one of the event supervisors. Twelve teams, of four to six players, fought hard to win first place on the podium. In total, around 60 young people aged 11 to 17 let off steam at the city stadium throughout the day. Among them, four AFL women's teams. "We really wanted diversity, to break the clichés and show a new reality", explains Mathilde Laffitte, head of the youth service. "Girls are never ahead in this sporting environment. It’s good to have done it", adds Inès, 18 years old.

In the event of fouls or contact, it was a penalty. FREE NOON – ANAÏS DA SILVA

Good atmosphere and respect for the rules

Who says sporting activity, also says rules to follow. To avoid any fuss, the footballers of the day had to play without physical contact: " At the next one, it’s penalty", shouts one of the referees. Despite some small disagreements during the last qualifying matches, the day took place in a good atmosphere. "We're super happy. It was good for a first. It’we have to do it again", suggests Ibrahim, 17 years old.

The tournament brought together nearly 60 young people. FREE NOON – ANAÏS DA SILVA

Four women's teams played. FREE NOON – ANAÏS DA SILVA

"We came to win and enjoy!"

The holidays have only just started. To entertain young people, this event came at the right time. "It's a change from usual and it's keeping us busy during these holidays", rejoices Inès. While some participated for "win and enjoy", like Lena and Yuwayria, others had predicted their victory: "We predicted last night that our team would win, rejoice Ibrahim and Preston, both 17 years old.

At the end of this day, the two best women's teams and the two best men's teams won their tickets to attend the athletics final of the 2024 Paralympic Games, in Paris, on the 31st. ;next August.