Unless there is an unthinkable cataclysm at this level, PSG, which is moving to Toulouse on Thursday evening, will win its 6th consecutive title of champion of France at the end of May, the 7th in 8 years. However, this is only the tip of the iceberg for the capital's club, which is experiencing a historic season. Since September, its three male teams (Starligue, N1 and under 18) entered in the national championships have totaled 35 wins, a draw, and a defeat. The club has also just passed n ° 1 one in Ile-de-France in number of members (703).
The professional part, directed by Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, takes care of the Starligue and the reserve in National 1 (largely composed of the young people of the training center). The PSG Handball Association (the amateurs section) manages the other 34 teams, including ten Women. "When our association was taken over by PSG in the mid-90s, it was only a small neighborhood club," says President Laurent Martini. It took time to position ourselves well. Emerging was not a given. "
"This almost invincibility is a real performance"
In 2012, Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) took over Paris Handball in its entirety: "The changeover, including internally, really took place at this time," explains Bastien El Ghouzzi, the general manager. The PSG brand is associated with excellence and prestige, with a recognizable coat of arms. The power of the brand is a force for our influence. We want each member, from the youngest to the veterans to Leisure, to be able to wear this image with pride. "
Among our young people who shine, we ask for the U18! 💪
- PSG Handball (@psghand) January 7, 2020Unsurprisingly, the amateur club takes care of the training of those who join the training center. "This is the major part of our action," adds Laurent Martini. There is thus a technical link with the professional staff, all the offices are in Coubertin. Thierry Omeyer (sports coordinator) and Thierry Perreux (trainer of the training center) attend all of our boards of directors. We speak regularly with Jean-Claude Blanc. Our young people have the possibility of attending the training of the Pros, meetings are regularly organized. We have also defined an associative, social and civic project, particularly with schools. The quality of our trainers does the rest. When the frame is set, it encourages performance. "
Even if the under 18s have not been undefeated since January 19 (Editor's note: defeat of a goal at Caen) , the sports record satisfies everyone. "This almost invincibility is a real performance," smiles Bastien El Ghouzzi. A few years ago, it was not natural. We don't have a hegemonic vocation in the capital and I don't know if there is jealousy. Except that we will be forgiven less for not being exemplary. And that is likely to last. Since 2018, the two entities have been bound by a new ten-year agreement.
