On October 17, Emmanuel Murzereau will be the new president of Saint-Raphaël Var Handball. At the head of the club since 1987, Jean-François Krakowski has, in fact, decided to bow out on this Tuesday evening in October, moved, probably a little worn, but above all attracted by other challenges. “The institution is stronger than the men”, he often recalls.
If another JFK was the youngest president of the United States of America, Jean-François Krakowski himself started his mission at 23 years old, and installed his baby among the most stable clubs of the Lidl Starligue. Iron hand in a velvet glove, he fades without regret “Because life is not just handball”.
“Why leave the presidency?
I have lived everything with this club, I have brought it to maturity, but after thirty-three years of presidency, you have to know how to leave and move on. Life isn’t just handball.
And why today?
It must have been in June, but the health crisis prompted me to continue the time to manage the emergency. Things are falling into place, we have renewed the partnerships, the budget has stabilized, the team too, and it is time, no doubt, with this first home game.
“I started handball in 1970, we are in 2020. Maybe my mouth, some are tired of seeing it … It’s time to broadcast another speech, other ideas. “
A gala match, against the French Champion …
It’s a coincidence, well I think, but I really wanted to go to a home game.
Do you feel worn out?
There is a bit of everything, a bit of wear and tear, yes my wife, too, who made a lot of sacrifices. It’s time consuming because managing a club is an eternal restart. I experienced exceptional emotions, disillusions too. But if I go back, I started handball in 1970, we are in 2020. Maybe my mouth, some are tired of seeing it … That it’s time to broadcast another speech , other ideas.
You have been a very present president, sometimes intrusive …
In thirty-three years of presidency, I have not missed a single game at home. Intrusive? I’m lucky to know this sport well and I had every right to give my opinion.
However, you leave without having won any title when it was one of your dreams …
I am a competitor, like my players, and I certainly miss that. But I made so many meetings, meetings of exceptional people. I think of those who came to greet me this evening, Thierry Dentz (referee who died last January), which I would have liked to have by our side, to others of course. Handball made me grow, it built me.
You have always put forward the human dimension of handball …
Human, family, that’s what I think I represent, the players feel it that way anyway. It is always what I wanted to preserve here, in a professional context of course, but this state of mind allowed us to overcome the tests. Today I leave a healthy club. I will remain an ambassador. I will make sure that a few partners stay as long as possible.
“I am worn out, but still passionate”
Installing the SRVHB took longer than expected …
I fed off my failures. I didn’t think, it’s true, that it would be so long, so hard. We had to convince because Saint-Raphaël is first and foremost a land of football. We succeeded, because the local authorities were patient. It paid off, I can only thank them.
What are you going to do now?
I set myself personal sporting challenges. I made the ascent of Mont-Blanc, the sporty GR 20, I will go around Mont-Blanc then the Diagonale des Fous with friends who are not handball friends.
Are you leaving without any regrets?
Frankly none. When I see the period, for sport in general, I tell myself that the next few years are going to be complicated. I’m not leaving because of that, my choice was made long before, but it consolidates me even more in my position.
Were you talking about wear?
I am worn out, but still passionate. Yesterday (Monday) again, I came to training to support the players. Until the last day, I would have lived my passion to the full. This club, I have it in the guts. Few presidents experience it as I have experienced it. This club is my baby, I built it, so obviously there will be a lack. “
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