Meeting with Eugenio Raniriharinosy, a key figure in the development of padel in Madagascar. A passionate coach, he accompanied Prisca Razafimamonjya et Fitia Robinson, the first two Malagasy players to enter the ranking FIPHe looks back on the evolution of this sport in his country and the prospects for the future.

Can you tell us about Madagascar and padel? How did this sport develop?
Okay, so I'm going to talk about the evolution. The first padel court in Madagascar was built in 2019, and over time this sport has grown rapidly. Today we have 25 lands spread over two cities: 23 to the capital et 2 in Tamatave. Initially, there were only about twenty practitioners. Currently, there are more than 500 players in Madagascar.

You are a coach. How did you get started in this sport and how long have you been doing this job?
Basically, I was a good player of ping-pong and badminton, a member of the national badminton team. I also played tennis and squash. I discovered padel by chance during business trips to France, where I took lessons in different clubs.

Did your experience in France inspire you to become a coach in Madagascar?
Exactly. I gained a lot of experience in France and, upon my return, I decided to devote myself to paddle. Since then, I have worked with clubs and more recently with a youth federation, created in May 2023, which is beginning to structure this sport in Madagascar.

Madagascar on the world padel map: interview with Eugénio Raniriharinosy

Precisely, this federation allowed Prisca and Fitia to participate in this tournament. What do you feel as a coach?
I am very proud of these two players. This is the first time that Malagasy players, from all categories, have joined the FIP international ranking. For men, there have already been participations in international competitions, such as the African Cup of Nations in Egypt in 2022 and in Mauritania last May, but always on a private basis. This tournament marks an important step for Malagasy women's padel.

And you, why don't you participate in the tournament?
[Laughs] Because I'm all alone and... a bit old! I prefer to be a coach rather than a player.

What are the plans in Madagascar for the coming months? Are you planning to organize an international tournament?
At the moment, there is no concrete plan for an international tournament. We must first put our land up to standard, because the biggest club in Madagascar only has two courts. We are moving forward step by step.

The biggest club only has two pitches?
Yes, that's it. There are a few clubs with two courts, but most only have one.

Despite this, do you feel a craze for padel in Madagascar?
Yes, absolutely. We see between 30 and 50 new players per week in clubs, even if they practice mainly for leisure. Currently, on the 500 practitioners, about 100 are regulars in competition. This is all very recent, the real growth started after launching a tournament in July 2022.

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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