Reportage
Mediterranean Games 2022: pétanque, a Maghreb passion
Boules games are on the program of the Mediterranean Games in Oran.
© Farid Achache / RFI
Text by: Farid Achache Follow
4 mins
During the Mediterranean Games, pétanque games are in the spotlight with petanque, long game and roundup.
Fifteen nations, including Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia are involved in the competition.
Boules games and particularly petanque hold a special place in the sporting culture in the Maghreb.
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At nightfall, after dinner, in the cool, it is not uncommon for people to gather throughout the Maghreb to play petanque.
Here, in Algeria, it is a tradition.
“
We're not that far from Marseille, it's a bit like Provençal culture
,” says Mohamed Houcine, journalist, mischievously.
In the past, pétanque was one of the favorite sports of the black feet.
The Algerians have taken a liking to it.
On the 1,200 kilometers of coastline, we meet to play until late at night.
A relaxing and summer sport
After independence, Algeria won the Nations Cup at the world championship in Lausanne in 1964. “
It's a relaxing, summer sport.
Several cities have clubs and in towns and villages, this sport attracts young and old,
says Mohamed Houcine.
Algeria regularly participates in the African Games.
Here it is far from being an unknown sport
”.
The Algerian long game won two bronze medals (in men's singles and doubles) at the 2015 Worlds in Croatia.
In 2021, the Algerian long game selection (boule lyonnaise), made up of eight athletes, including four women, took part in the 39th World Championship in Italy.
In 2022, the Algerian national roundup team had won ten medals including three African titles, during the 2nd edition of the African championship (roundup and pétanque), which took place in Algiers.
In “El Bahya” (Oran), pétanque remains very popular every summer holiday with Oran residents, especially in the working-class areas of the city.
Clubs have been created and affiliated with the wilaya petanque league.
Metal ball in the palm of the hand, you need a sense of observation to tease the "pig".
Not to mention focus.
Several municipalities in the wilaya of Oran have benefited from the construction of pétanque courts.
What to give enthusiasm for this sporting practice.
In some neighborhoods, the sharp sound of "diamond shots" has become a familiar sound.
During the Mediterranean Games, the representatives of Algeria will compete against athletes from 12 countries registered for petanque, and competitors from 11 countries engaged in the long game.
“
When I was a kid, I watched people play downstairs.
I wanted to try, and it was immediately a crush.
With petanque, I had the opportunity to travel
”, welcomes the Algerian Nour El Houda Bouguerra.
Among Moroccan neighbors, pétanque is also a way of life.
In 2021, Morocco distinguished itself in Burkina Faso by winning the 8th edition of the African Nations Championship.
Algeria finished on the third step of the podium.
Contrary to popular belief, petanque interests a large part of Moroccans.
“
I'm in a club in Marrakech and I train four times a week.
It's a way to get out of everyday life and find my friends.
I've always loved this sport
”, testifies with shyness Karima Ghariz, representative of Morocco.
A sport more and more practiced around the world
If France invented this discipline, Morocco quickly followed suit with its federation created in 1957. The same year, during an international tournament in Spa, Belgium, the International Federation of Pétanque was born.
First members: France, Belgium, Monaco, Switzerland, Tunisia, and Morocco!
The kingdom of Morocco was twice consecutively champion of Africa in precision shooting, in 2009 and 2011. In 2010, he was crowned champion of the Maghreb, in Agadir.
“
Before coming to Oran
,
we knew that boules games were very popular in the Maghreb.
I have been playing for forty years and I see that my sport is being practiced more and more around the world
”, underlines the Frenchwoman Mireille Milleron, double world champion of Lyon bowls.
Tunisia also has a crush on pétanque.
In Oran, Mouna Beji will want to complete her collection of medals during her fifth participation.
At the Mediterranean Games, the native of Tunis has already won three gold medals, one bronze and one silver.
The world champion now trains in France, at the Canuts de Lyon.
Sheltered from the sun, under the arbours, with the sea breeze for company, the athletes will have fun for four days in front of an audience of connoisseurs.
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