Relief for pétanque enthusiasts: the six players from the two Malagasy national pétanque teams have finally obtained their visas for France. They departed Madagascar on Monday to join France, where they will be able to participate in the summer tournaments, according to the Malagasy Boules Sports Federation (FSBM). Their departure puts an end to several weeks of uncertainty that had deprived them of their first objective of the season.
Faralahy “Baloty” Urbain Ramanantiariay, Lova Rakotoarisoa, Tiana Laurens “Tonnerre” Razanadrakoto, Tafita Angelo Andriamahandry, Steph James “Bondy” Rakotonirina, and Jean Mickaël Ratolojanahary will represent Madagascar in several competitions organized in France. The delegation also includes a coach and the national technical director.
According to Adrien Julio Edouard, president of the FSBM, the players will compete in their first tournament this weekend. They will then follow up with a competition every week until their return to Madagascar, scheduled for September.
The Malagasy selection was initially supposed to participate in the prestigious La Marseillaise tournament, organized at the beginning of July. However, they had to withdraw from this competition as the visas were not issued in time.
Following this withdrawal, the FSBM, with the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, continued efforts with the competent authorities to obtain the authorizations allowing the delegation to join France. These efforts finally succeeded with the issuance of the visas.
Captured & Published at: 2026-07-21 09:41:45 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://2424.mg/petanque-les-boulistes-malgaches-rejoignent-finalement-la-france-pour-les-tournois-estivaux/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=petanque-les-boulistes-malgaches-rejoignent-finalement-la-france-pour-les-tournois-estivaux