A doubles team from the BBSA was crowned champion of Occitanie in para-pétanque over the weekend of March 28th. In the coming weeks, the athletes from the association will participate in the regional championships of football and tennis.
The athletes of the BBSA (Bassin Bagnolais de Sport Adapté) continue to win medals in major competitions. After winning a title in women’s doubles at the French badminton championships last November in their first participation, a new doubles team made up of Jean-Yves Garcia and Christophe Lemeur won the Occitanie para-pétanque championships in Castres on Saturday, March 28th.
“We are very happy. We even had a 100% BBSA final, so it’s a double source of pride,” emphasized Gilles Fernandez, one of the educators of the BBSA with Philippe Morel. Indeed, out of the four doubles teams from the association, two finished in the top two places, one in 5th and the other in 7th. “This gives us three doubles teams qualified for the French championships, as we needed to finish in the top six.” These championships will take place in Nice from May 22nd to 24th.
Leading to the French para-pétanque championships, the BBSA will head to Bram near Carcassonne on Saturday, April 18th for the finals of the Occitanie football championship. “Our team is already qualified for the French championships taking place from May 14th to 17th in Limoges. These matches will be an opportunity to compete against the best teams in the region and bring back the title of Occitanie champion,” stated Gilles Fernandez.
The association will also compete in the regional tennis championships at the club des Hauts de Nîmes the following weekend. “We will go with twelve players. The goal will be to qualify for the national championships in Blois, Loir-et-Cher from June 11th to 14th.”
Finally, the BBSA will have an important opportunity with the Coupe de France des regions taking place from June 19th to 21st in Agen. Since the beginning of the year, six players from the association have been training in Montpellier with a group of about twenty players. “Only 15 players will be selected by the coach. The list should be announced by the end of April. This would be great for our players because after all, it’s the Coupe de France, and the coaching staff of the French adapted football team will be present.”
Context: The BBSA is a sports association in Occitanie that promotes inclusive sports for people with disabilities.
Fact Check: The championships mentioned are real events that take place annually in France.
