The two Ankoay national teams returned to the country yesterday. A large crowd came to welcome them to Ivato, showing their appreciation.
Mission accomplished and return home with all the honours. After having played and won the African 3×3 basketball cup for men and the title of African vice-champion for women on Egyptian soil, the Malagasy delegation, made up of the two Ankoay national teams, set foot on the ground Malagasy yesterday afternoon around 1:15 p.m., by Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 853.
After carrying out the administrative formalities, the Minister of Youth and Sports Tinoka Roberto, accompanied by members of the FMBB led by its president Jean Michel Ramaroson gave a brief statement of thanks for the performances achieved by the two national teams. They expressed their gratitude to these national heroes because it is no coincidence that these athletes were able to achieve such performances.
Caravans of vehicles accompanied the two national teams from Ivato to the Mahamasina Sports Palace. People on both sides of the road gave shouts of joy and cheers during Ivato’s journey to Analakely. The procession arrived in Mahamasina around 4:20 p.m., an official ceremony of welcome and recognition was organized at the small Palace, next to the great hall of the Sports Palace of Mahamasina.
Long-term preparation
During his speech, the president of the FMBB, Jean Michel Ramaroson, explained that this victory of the men’s national team is not the result of chance.
“It’s a long-term preparation, since 2013. Since that year, the FMBB has never stopped looking for all the tricks necessary for the development of 3×3 basketball. She saw the potential of Malagasy basketball players, with an unshakeable faith that these 3×3 basketball guys have a chance to go far. These players showed that the FMBB was not wrong in its vision”. And the president of the FMBB to continue: “The main thing has been done, you are champions of Africa and I congratulate you. It was a stage, the main thing is yet to come, the World Cup is of a different caliber and we have to prepare now”. A bonus of 8,000,000 Ariary was offered by the FMBB to the members of the Malagasy delegation.
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Tinoka Roberto, also congratulated the two national teams: “You have carried the country’s colors high and it is the whole nation that has been honored by your commitment and your dedication. . The State is always behind the sportsmen and will always bring its help, I would like to congratulate you and invite you to surpass yourselves again because it is the name of Madagascar that you will defend in the World Cup”. During this African campaign, the Malagasy State granted one hundred million ariary to the Malagasy delegation.
