The Hcup is an inter-district tournament in Marseille born in 2020.
Last year, it was brutally interrupted by a shooting in a settling of scores.
However, the organizers did not want to give up, faced with the enthusiasm and fervor aroused.
The atmosphere promises to be boiling this Friday evening at the La Martine stadium (15th arrondissement) where several hundred supporters are expected for the semi-finals of the Hcup, this inter-district football tournament in Marseille born wildly during confinement of 2020. Of course, last year's shootout, which abruptly interrupted the tournament after the murder of a young man still in shorts and cleats in a settling of scores, will be on everyone's mind.
“It will leave a mark for life”, underlines Djamal Bounou, 31, former Comorian international defender, “referent” (sort of coach) of the La Cayole team, which is playing its semi-final against Félix Pyat.
But reducing this football tournament to this tragic incident, unfortunately all too common in Marseille (36 murders linked to drug trafficking in 2021), would not do justice to the organizers and the participants.
"The party, the joy, the neighborhoods and this fervor, we couldn't leave that", summarizes Nordine Ali Saïd, a 29-year-old journalist from Busserine, who officiates as a commentator on the meetings broadcast live on YouTube.
“It will be a bit like our Furiani”
However, the question of not stacking again arose, for a time, that of a particularly deadly summer in Marseille.
“Not even out of fear but out of lack of desire.
When you put so much energy into a project and it happens what happened… We spoke in September and quickly, we said to each other: “That would prove them right.”
".
In memory, however, no match was played on the weekend of June 25, the sinister "anniversary date" of the facts related.
"It will be a bit of our Furiani, not to mention a tribute because it would be to take a stand", explains Hachim Martiniky, 33, one of the founding pillars of this tournament (twelve teams this year) who gave the H of his first name. the cutting.
Born in 2020 “from a delirium”, that of Hachim who in full confinement and going to get a bike “just to do a little sport”, comes across the Merlan stadium which he had not seen since its renovation.
“The synthetic shone, it made you want too much and guys were playing.
I emboucased them * to play a match against a team from my neighborhood, La Savine ”.
A few matches are played and, Marseille being in many respects a large village, it is not long in being known in other districts of the north of the city.
“Teams came to see me and said to me: “We take the win”.
In the end we ended up with eight teams, ”rewinds Hicham.
Organized in the wild, but "in the right way", they poach referees, knowledge of the neighborhoods.
For fear of being suspended by the Mediterranean League,
Live broadcast and commentary
Two years later, a solid troop of around forty volunteers was structured, an association in due form was set up, the town hall provided its support by providing facilities and paying a few bills.
A private security company, to manage the flow of supporters, has been hired.
The Mediterranean League, if it does not send its referees, authorizes its affiliates to participate.
The La Savine B-Vice association, well known to the people of Marseilles for having launched a number of Marseille rappers in the 1990s – early 2000s, provides its sound equipment, helps Hachim with administrative paperwork.
"I am from this neighborhood and I owe a lot to Elvire Zaidi of B-Vice and the social center of La Savine, the fact that it is square * today", he thanks,
eager to make this adventure a completely collective construction, that of all the districts of Marseille, and the knowledge of its inhabitants.
“Each one brings their own little extra,” rejoices Hicham.
Nordine Ali Saïd hosted his own football media in 2019.
“Suddenly, I proposed from the first year to come and do match reports on Instagram”, recalls the journalist who now comments in duet with Azir Saïd or Mohamed Cheik.
Photo cameras belonging to volunteers act as cameras, two are in the stands, a wide shot, a close shot, and a telephone films on the edge of the field for production and live broadcast on YouTube.
"We're not Prime Video," laughs Nordine, who runs every half-time from his commentator's post to the edge of the field to do the reaction interviews.
But the rendering still looks good.
“In real life, it is first of all for those who cannot come, because they are far away, have left Marseille, or are in prison”,
The Vélodrome and a Hcup de France as a secret dream
For now, this whole team manages the organization on their free time.
Nordine comes down from Paris every weekend, paying for the tickets out of his own pocket.
Hicham is a delivery driver.
Like all the other people contacted, they want to continue to grow this fun tournament.
“We would like to be able to welcome more teams, we have a lot of requests.
In terms of human material, we are good, but we lack the means and infrastructure, ”engages Nordine.
Already, from 2021, bridges have been built with other districts of Marseille, in the south in particular with the arrival of La Cayole.
“We didn't want it to be just the tournament for the northern districts.
But you know, Marseille, it's complicated sometimes, especially between districts.
There is a strong rivalry and a strong sense of belonging.
This district does not want to participate because it is organized by another”, explains Hicham.
"We want to integrate the districts of the center too, so there is Félix Pyat, but we are also in contact with Vauban [one of the chic districts of the city]".
Proof that the aioli takes and that "bonds are created".
Something to think about, already, for the following editions.
With a few dreams: to play the final at the Vélodrome – “in reality, it’s our delirium from 2020”, admits Hicham – and one day, to make the Hcup “a brand” which would see each major city organize its inter-district tournament, before to send the winners to a final phase.
What to express the rivalry between neighborhoods on the ground rather than by arms?
“It's not our role.
I'm not doing this to say, "Guys, stop waging war on each other."
If it can, so much the better.
I do it because I am an amateur balloon strapper, ”explains Hicham.
About amateur football, observers will have noticed that the level is rather high, with a host of semi-pro players playing in CFA or National, and some pros as well.
And if doing good to the eyes is always to be taken, that is not the primary goal.
"We do this for the supporters, because without supporters, no Hcup", concludes Nordine.
And for them, the players wet the shirt.
With the desire to sew a first star to their jersey, after the one won by Plan d'Aou, winner 2020,
* Emboucaner: to make walk, handle merrily
* Square: within the rules
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