In Malaga, the World Championships Padel minors (under 18) 2017 will be without French delegation. Is it that bad?
This is obviously a shame. We would have liked to see the French at these world championships padel for minors in Malaga. But we will see that this is a logical continuation of things even if that could change soon.
It seems that we must put this controversy into perspective, but also take into account the state of development of the padel in France.
The French Tennis Federation is criticized by some clubs padel who esteems him “too lax".
The general organization of padel in France is not done quickly enough. Sure, but "Rome was not done in 1 day”To use the expression of Thomas Maurand, one of the pillars of Padel Lyon Club (Padel Central) which adds that “have to leave some time".
One of the big problems we have in France is that there are no competitions open to young people. Worse than that: Young people are not admitted to the French championships of padel for the moment. “We will come there”Positive Jean-Marc Dalain, the manager of Padel Club de Marseille - TCM.
The fact that we therefore have no representative at these world championships in padel for minors and therefore a logical continuation of the general state of padel French.
Jonathan Le Gall, one of the ambassadors of the One brand Padel explains that it is “compliqué to constitute a national team in a sport not yet sufficiently developed in France. If it is to be shoveled on the spot by other nations, it does not serve much".
Because yes, with only a little more than 2000 licensees padel in France, we cannot yet aspire to be everywhere.
Moreover, by looking more closely in these minor championships, we note that there are almost only Spanish teams (and more generally Spanish-speaking). Then, these championships are played in Malaga. We must therefore especially welcome the few countries that send a delegation.
Other questions may arise: the International Federation of padel Has she done everything to internationalize this competition? Shouldn't she have done that in a country other than Spain? And perhaps allow other teams than Spanish?
Of course, these are just simple questions because organizing a competition is always tedious.
But based on this observation, can we still think that it is "unacceptable that France is not present at these World Championships Minors"?
“We see many other nations whose activity padel is not as developed as in France and yet have players in this competition, is that normal? ” s'asks Kristina Clément, the representative NOX France.
Indeed, nations without means and whose infrastructure is less important than in France will still be part of the party in Malaga like Sweden, Belgium or Britain.
The nations represented:
Also find the very interesting little "shot of mouth" of the founder of SETTEO, Pierre-Emmanuel Czaja:
https://www.setteo.com/usuario/pierre/blog/ou-seront-nos-jeunes-francais-aux-championnats-du-monde-de-padel-a-malaga
Let's hope that for future editions, France will be part of it. Even if again, there is not necessarily controversy when we try to take into account all the elements of the puzzle.
THE big event of this end of the year remains the European Championships of padel which will take place in Lisbon from November 14th to 19th and France will be present!
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Franck for once I do not agree with you.
Even less with Thomas Maurand when he says that we have to give time to time, it is a very French evil from which our mediocrity stems in many areas ... The others advance, we think, we create commissions, we have meetings ...
The ban on young people from participating in the French championships is stupid and unjustified, if, as Mr. Dalain says "we are going to come here" it is a good thing, better late than never.
Concerning Malaga, a French delegation would have been good publicity for the padel and to make young people want to discover this sport. France is not present while Belgium, Italy or the UK (!) Are there ... Let's not be naive there is probably also a budget problem behind this non-participation ... Finally I do not not see it as a controversy but rather as a debate of ideas, it is moreover by confronting our points of view in a constructive way that we will move things forward - well if we are listened to, because that is not is not won ...-.
In fact, we agree on the statement. In this article, the idea is to list all the arguments for and against. :)