The tunes of the Wu-Tang Clan, a mythical rap group from the New York scene, resonate in the 33-hectare park of Neuilly-sur-Marne. In front of the enclosures covered with protection against the rain, a young person from the neighborhood chains the three-point baskets (and the resumptions of dribble) with a t-shirt of the Toronto Raptors. The atmosphere is American, but everyone is waiting for the arrival of a very local star.
Upon his arrival, Moustapha Fall does not go unnoticed from the top of his two meters and eighteen centimeters. Next to him, Zartoshte Bakhtiari, the young mayor (DVD) is forced to make himself small. After a short interruption in the program due to an intense downpour, the first magistrate begins his speech with the long list of achievements of the child of the country, who has come to inaugurate a basketball court in his name.
Olympic vice-champion in Tokyo in 2021, French champion in 2017 and 2021, best player in the final of the Coupe de France 2021: the player from Olympiakos Piraeus, in Greece, is welcomed like a Roman triumph.
Back to basics
“It all started right next door, at the city gymnasium,” recalls the giant with nearly thirty selections for the France team. Due to lack of time, the top athlete was unable to free himself in October 2022, during the first inauguration of the three-on-three pitch.
Originally from the 24 arpents district, “Mouss Fall” took advantage of this homecoming to visit his mother, make the second inauguration of this land, and attend the presentation of the plaque in his name. When the mayor asked him to give his name to the new basketball court in the park, the Nocé athlete immediately accepted.
“It’s a real pride. Even if I only played a few months in the local club, it’s my city, confides the basketball player. When you can give something to entertain the children, it’s always a good thing. During this time they do nothing else. »
“After the riots, in this complicated period, it is important to show that we can succeed and flourish through sport”, underlines the mayor, who does not forget, addressing the dozens of children present. , to recall the importance of work “to achieve one’s dreams, which are within reach”.
Moustapha leaves him in a few days for Orleans, to continue the preparation of the French team before the World Cup. Eyes fixed on 2024, Zartoshte Bakhtiari challenges the city’s child: go for gold at the Paris Olympics.
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