An international reference stadium. This was the announcement made yesterday in Toliara by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Alain Désiré Rasambany, who came to pay a final tribute to the Malagasy football legend, Kira Michel. “The Maître Kira Stadium in Toliara will be the second-largest stadium in Madagascar. We plan to transform it into an international reference stadium. The project has been in the works for months, and engineers have already been sent here to assess the condition of the stadium,” he announced.
The footballer’s body was taken around the stadium track yesterday morning during the final honors ceremony, before his burial in Belalanda, a rural commune of Toliara II. The Maître Kira Stadium has borne the name of the former national team captain since 1997.
During his speech, the minister acknowledged that Malagasy sports have been “ailing” for years. He also announced that a draft law on sports has been under consideration for months and will soon be submitted to the National Assembly. “A law on national sports policy will soon be presented to Parliament. It will outline the common direction for Malagasy sports. The policy will notably highlight the careers of athletes who too often find themselves without support after international competitions,” he emphasized.
The minister also mentioned being moved by a video in which Maître Kira recounted his sporting journey, marked by a lack of recognition from successive governments.
During the posthumous tribute at Maître Kira Stadium, it was recalled that the footballer’s dexterity, capable of juggling with both feet, was recognized beyond the borders. The athlete’s wake took place at the covered gymnasium from Thursday night to Friday morning, where sports associations, local authorities, and residents of the “City of the Sun” participated in the tribute until dawn.
Former footballers who played on the same team as Maître Kira were present, including Abdou, Faralahy, and Philémon Hervé, known as Momo. “He selected me to be part of the Toliara teaching staff sports association when I was 17. I appreciated his mentality, and he knew how to uphold his title of ‘Maître’ (Master). It is a pity he was not considered enough,” said Philémon Hervé.
Faralahy, now 76, played alongside the football star and testified to being deeply affected by his passing. “He was the one who distributed the ball to us. Without him, there was no opportunity to score. I appreciated this great man,” he testified.
Other witnesses, such as René and Jean Michel, recounted that a large part of their lives was marked by Kira Michel. An emissary of a former teammate came from Antalaha to pay a final tribute. Maître Kira leaves behind a widow and two children, as well as many footballers in Toliara, both old and young, mourning his loss.
Captured & Published at: 2026-10-03 06:24:19 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/10/toliara-le-stade-maitre-kira-necessite.html