An ambitious bet about to be successful.
The French Teqball Federation will allow 14 Ile-de-France residents to go to the United States, heading to Los Angeles, to live a unique experience.
Jawad El Hajri, the president of this young federation that appeared in 2018, is moved to present this initiative.
After an intense selection, around ten people from Île-de-France will be able to go to California to play teqball and confront another culture: meetings are in fact planned with former gang members on the outskirts of Los Angeles , with the support of an association from the city of Compton, birthplace of several personalities from the African-American community such as rappers Kendrick Lamar and Dr Dre or basketball player DeMar DeRozan.
After the high tensions of last summer, following the death of Nahel, a 17-year-old teenager killed by a police officer in Nanterre, Jawad El Hajri wanted to find an action that could inspire young people who feel abandoned.
“Following the riots, as a child from the neighborhoods, I wanted to develop this project,” he explains.
To have an impact on young people, you have to make them dream and we couldn't find better,” says the former Paris FC player.
And to continue: “We want to be recognized as a vector of social cohesion through sport.
They will share experiences and they will be able to discuss their life journey [with former gang members],” enthuses the president.
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It is also a way to highlight teqball, a sport that is played with a soccer ball on a curved table, similar to a ping-pong table.
Created in 2015, it was popularized by football stars and former FC Barcelona and PSG legend, Brazilian Ronaldinho.
The FNTEQ has around a hundred licensees in France.
From Los Angeles to Rio de Janeiro
But before leaving for the west coast of the United States, hundreds of candidates will compete to obtain the precious sesame.
Several tournaments will be organized in 10 towns in Île-de-France, outside of Paris itself, for a first round, between May and September.
Subsequently, the winners of each tournament will gather in Issy-les-Moulineaux for a grand final on August 31.
The departure across the Atlantic is planned for the last quarter of 2024.
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The qualifications will be open to everyone.
“We don’t want to make a difference,” assures the president of the FNTEQ.
Alongside him, well-known names from the sporting world will accompany the 14 Ile-de-France residents.
In addition to former footballers Bernard Mendy, Frédéric Piquionne, Richard Socrier, there is also former swimmer Malia Metella and former handball player Mariama Signaté.
A five-star cast completed by Paris Saint-Germain figure Eric Rabesandratana.
The former defender will be responsible for “morally” supporting the future winners with the help of his other fellow ambassadors.
Luxury coaches who are also called upon for other projects with the federation.
After a first stage in Los Angeles, the FNTEQ will fly to Brazil to meet David Luiz in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro in 2025. The following year, the organizers will meet in Cape Town, in South Africa, to follow in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela.