Mentioned in early January, the process of renaming the Boutroux stadium, located in the 13th arrondissement of Paris and where Paris 13 Atletico plays in the Pelé stadium, has taken a new step. This Monday evening, the Municipal Council of the XIIIth arrondissement voted in favor of “the attribution of the name Pelé to the Boutroux stadium”. It now remains for the central town hall to validate this change of name at the next Council of Paris which will take place from March 14 to 17.
Fifa, through the voice of its president Gianni Infantino, had asked each member country (211) to name a stadium in honor of Pelé who died on Thursday 29 December.
“I am very happy that the municipal council of the 13th arrondissement has approved the naming of “Pelé” for the Stade Boutroux, explains Aïmane Bassiouni, deputy mayor of the 13th arrondissement in charge of sports and youth. This stadium is an important place in the 13th arrondissement since it hosts the largest club in France in terms of number of licensees with an excellent football school. At a time when Paris 13 Atletico has evolved to the National level, this stadium is above all and above all that of a popular football club like Pelé. »
“We will make a stadium worthy of the name”
The chosen one continues: “Pelé’s career is quite remarkable, he is a player who started from the bottom to arrive 3 times world champion within the Brazilian national team. In 1977, he retired from sport and devoted himself to a commitment to various causes as an Ambassador for the UN, UNESCO and UNICEF. Naming a stadium in a popular neighborhood that hosts our great football club would be the finest tribute that could be paid to King Pelé. This stadium will naturally be the temple of popular football! »
“Unworthy” for the National according to most opponents of Paris 13 Atletico, the stadium will nevertheless have to live up to its new name. With its 1,600 members, the club also finds itself cramped with outdated equipment. A major project is therefore necessary beyond the simple change of name. “We will make a stadium worthy of the name and this will trigger the start of very progressive progress also in the development of equipment”, promises Aïmane Bassiouni.
