Participation remains surrounded by uncertainty. However, the Malagasy Boules Sports Federation (FSBM) is reassuring regarding Madagascar’s presence at the summer tournaments. “The national teams will leave soon. Players currently gathered at the hotel return to their respective families each weekend when no activities are scheduled. On social media, some have spread false information claiming they were released because they would not participate in the summer tournaments,” stated the federation president, Adrien Julio Édouard Andrianirina.
“The procedures are underway. So far, we have not made any official statement announcing Madagascar’s withdrawal. The players will indeed leave, and their departure is scheduled for the near future,” he asserted firmly.
Two teams formed by the country’s top-ranked players, who were supposed to fly to France at the beginning of July to compete in summer tournaments, were unable to leave Malagasy territory following the refusal of their visa applications for a ninety-day long stay.
The Malagasy summer tour in France will therefore have to be shortened. Seventeen tournaments counting towards the Passion Pétanque Française (PPF) rounds will be spread across France until mid-September. Seven have already been played so far. The first team consists of Lova Satamandimby Rakotoarisoa, Faralahy Urbain Joseph Ramanantiaray (alias “Baloty”), and Tiana Laurens Razanadrakoto (known as “Tonnerre”), while the second is composed of Tafita Angelo Andriamahandry, Steph James Bondy Rakotonirina, and Jean Mickaël Ratolojanahary.
What disappointed fans and the Malagasy flag-bearers the most was not being able to defend their title at the National La Marseillaise at the beginning of July. Madagascar, represented by the trio of Yves Sedrick Rakotoarisoa, Tiana Laurens Razanadrakoto (“Tonnerre”), and Lova Satamandimby Rakotoarisoa, had become the first foreign country to win this prestigious summer tournament held in France, which brings together the world’s elite. To be continued.
Captured & Published at: 2026-07-20 05:42:04 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/07/petanque-tournois-estivaux-les-equipes.html