Relaunch. One of the capital’s flagship clubs, Jovena, is collaborating with a great champion, Jonathan Nativel, to breathe new life into the club. The multiple gold medalist of the Indian Ocean Island Games, who returned to the country two years ago, has joined the club to restore its prestige.
Founded in 2004, the Jovena club shone for nearly its first 20 years of existence with its great national champions and standard-bearers in international competitions such as the Island Games, such as Tiana Ratsimbazafy and Rondro Rajaonah on the women’s side, who are currently passing the torch to the next generation; and on the men’s side, there were Zo Nandrianina Razafindralambo, known as Lino, and Itokiana Razafindrakoto. The latter changed clubs two years ago.
Since the beginning of the 2026 season, the club has regained its momentum thanks to the boost provided by the multiple gold medalist, who has won titles from the 2011 Seychelles Island Games to the ones organized in the country in 2023, in singles, men’s doubles, mixed doubles, and team events.
The champion holds a dual role within the club, serving as both a player and a technical coach. The club’s collaboration with this great champion has already borne fruit during the last Antananarivo-City section championship. Nativel himself won the championship title, and Anthony was crowned in the minime (under 13) category. Three other club representatives, namely Anthony in the men’s 3rd series, Jerry in the over-50 veterans category, and Dimby in the over-40 veterans category, finished as vice-champions. Club president Lantosoa Andriambololonjiva reached the semi-finals in both the men’s 2nd series and the officials’ category.
“We want to regain our leading position as before,” stated the club’s founding president, Lantosoa Andriambololonjiva. Following the section championship, the club is preparing intensively for the Analamanga championship, scheduled for the end of August, and the national championship at the beginning of September.
Serge Rasanda
Captured & Published at: 2026-07-11 05:43:02 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/07/tennis-de-table-jonathan-nativel.html