Second Malagasy participation. Madagascar will be represented by four athletes including three teqballeurs and a wrestler at the second edition of the African Beach Games. The 2023 version of the African Beach Games will take place from June 24 to 30 in Hammamet, Tunisia. The Big Island was represented by teqballers during the first edition in 2019 in Cape Verde. The three flag bearers in teqball are among others Erikson Spencer Diarra Rakotonirina, Andry Nambinintsoa Rakotondrabe and Fanirisoa Richia Randrianasolo. Madagascar is engaged in single, double and mixed. “These players were selected according to their ranking after the national championship” clarifies the president of the federation, Brilliant Gold Siteny Randrianandrasana. The latter will lead the team and coach the players there. Spencer and Andry have already represented the country at the world championship in Germany in November 2022. “We followed intensive training for a month and a half and we promise good results” launches Spencer Diarra. For the beach fight, only one out of the three selected will travel to Tunisia, due to a lack of financial means.
Reduced delegation
The bronze medalist at the African beach wrestling championship in mid-May in Tunisia, Jessy Andrianantoandro in the -70kg category will defend the national colors there. “I’m ready and I’ll do my best to hold the national flag high… I’ve been preparing for the past few days in Mahajanga to familiarize myself with the beach and the altitude,” says Jessy. She will be directed and coached there by the president of the Malagasy wrestling federation, Mamitiana Raveloson. It has been five years since the federation began popularizing and promoting beach wrestling. “The discipline suits us well because Madagascar is an island surrounded by beaches. We are now planning to organize larger championships” underlines the boss of the federation. “Jessy has a good chance of shining because she knows all her opponents well during the recent African championship during which she learned lessons” continues Mamintiana Raveloson. Ten disciplines will be on the program. The African Beach Games in Tunisia qualify for the World Beach Games scheduled for August 5-12 in Indonesia. Finalists will qualify. “Unfortunately, the beach soccer team, a delegation of thirteen members, will not be able to make the trip for lack of means, while Madagascar has already shone by winning the continental title (2015)” mentioned the head of delegation, Jean Herley Ambinintsoarivelo. The teqball delegation left the country yesterday while the wrestling delegation will leave on Saturday June 25th.