Faithful to its reputation since its beginnings, for the 49th edition, the National Sports Meeting brought together its regulars around the values of fraternity, friendship and the spirit of camaraderie.
Beautiful people despite the cold and rainy weather in Vichy on the Easter weekend during the RNS 2024. The RNS is above all sport and the athletes were in the spotlight once again despite the disappointment at the tournament of football. Twelve sports were on the program for this 2024 edition which brought together around 1,600 athletes, figures up compared to 2023. The RNS is also the reunion of former members of the national teams, all disciplines combined. We can cite the basketball players Kevin Gilbert, Jerry Pépin, Rija Lahonton, M’Madi Mathyas, Antsa Ravelojaona, Tiry Lahimiaro, Marion Rasolofomanana, the footballers, Faneva Ima, Voavy Paulin, Dimitri Caloin, Melvin Adrien, Koloina Razafindranaivo, Toavina says Debakely and the Barea U23 players, the judokas, Fetra Ratsimiziva, Asaramanitra Ratiarison, the tennis player, Lucas Andriamasilalao, the athletes, Ali Kamé and Eliane Saholinirina, the bowls player, Fanja Aubriot.
Basket : Caïman wins his first title among men, Nixyo snatches it
Electric and balanced finals brought life to the packed Palais des Sports in Vichy. The titles completely change hands for this 49th edition for both men and women. In the poster for the men’s final, it is the remake of the 2023 final between the teams of Caïman Paris and JSM de Montpellier, but the result is this time in favor of the Parisian team. Until the final whistle, the two teams engaged in a merciless battle and the suspense continued until the end. Thanks to Kanto Razafindraibe, excellent on the field both in attack and defense, the Cayman team won the title with a close score of 60 to 55. The M’Madi gang led the score for a long time, but two minutes from the end of the match, JSM’s Nestan Jikelabitike managed to reduce the score by 51 to 52. Good management at the end of the match sealed Caïman’s victory. “Last year, we lost by two points 44 to 46. The strategy, we had a very good player, Wesley, who could fill the gaps indoors and also a change in the squad, which allowed us to to be able to win the title this year. The philosophy of my team is to play with friends, have fun of course with a competitive team, encourage and help each other and be together and as a family. Next year, we will be there for the 50th anniversary of the RNS”, said Toky Rajaonera, coach of the champion team. In two participations, the Cayman team qualified for two finals and won a title, an honorable record.
In the women’s hostilities, two teams came from very far behind. The finale also kept the audience in suspense and was indecisive until the last second. The Nixyo team won by 46 to 43 against the Malagasy Sports Association (ASM). However, the Parisiennes of ASM led by one point by 22 to 21. After returning from the locker room, the Nixyo team, thanks to Liantsiky Bodo Ramanoelina who spared no effort on the field, took control of the match. Despite her young age and small size, she does not hesitate to enter the opposing camp. Antsa Ravelojaona’s protégés, more combative and disciplined than their opponents, made the difference. Marion Rasolofomanana’s troupe did not admit defeat in front of the audience at the Palais des Sports. With 7 seconds remaining, ASM was only one point behind its opponent by 43 to 44, but by committing a mistake, Nixyo consolidated its lead by 46 to 43. “The level of basketball has seen a clear progression. Our players are motivated and have not given up,” Landy Rasolo said. The Nixyo team is made up of players playing in the United States, Canada, Belgium, France and Madagascar.
Football : City 63 of Clermont crowned in 7-a-side football, the finals not played for 11-a-side football
More than 1,200 licensees took part in RNS football tournaments. 55 teams signed up, including 17 in 7-a-side football and 48 for 11-a-side football. Football still remains the flagship discipline of the RNS. Former players of the national team, from the days of Club M, the Scorpions and the Barea have returned to the field to indulge their passion. It was only during the 7-a-side football tournament that the final could take place with the victory of the City 63 team from Clermont. The Clermont players were crowned at the end of the penalty shootout by 2 to 1 at the expense of those of Montpellier. Both teams left the field with a goalless draw at the end of regulation time. For 11-a-side football for both seniors and veterans, the finals could not be played, due to an incident with the referees. The final derby was to pit the defending team Tap Tap Send against ASM in 11-a-side football. The referees decided not to officiate the finals. Among the veterans, Ace GAS Annemasse from Switzerland was qualified for the third consecutive year in the final. The other semi-final between Toulouse and ASGM did not take place. Strict application of the regulations is essential and above all verification of the licenses and identities of all players to avoid problems and irregularities.
Volley-ball : Double for AEOM Toulouse
Toulouse volleyball at RNS is a story that has lasted for a very long time and continues to grow. At the Palais des Sports in Vichy, the two teams from the Association of Students Originating from Madagascar (AEOM) from Toulouse achieved a magnificent double. For the ladies, it was the remake of the 2023 final between AEOM and MMVB. The Toulouse women were hot until the tie-break to overcome their opponents. The first set was won without difficulty by Rina Ranaivomampianina and others by 25 to 7. The MMVB players responded to the second set and the two teams chased the score before the 2023 champions won by 26 at 24. It was necessary to go to the tie-break to decide between the two teams where AEOM had the upper hand by 15 to 6. Revenge held for Toulouse. “We carried out a renewal of our workforce, there were returnees and new recruits for“to breathe new life into the team,” the coach told us. Among the men, at the end of an intense and hotly contested final, AEOM managed to keep its title against its eternal opponent Bezons. Mathieu and his gang won by two sets to zero, 25-19 and 25-19. The young Frédéric Rabenjamina from AEOM stood out for his talent on the floor and was voted best player in the final.
Gas Judo Cup : First successful and successful edition
For a first attempt, it was a masterstroke for Gasy Diaspora Judo at the National Sports Meeting. Old and new generations met on the tatami. Some became coaches, others became referees for a day. 26 fighters participated in this first edition which bodes well for the future of judo at the RNS. Arthur Ratsimbazafy and Alice Randrianjohany are the two best fighters in the tournament.
The results: Ladies
Category -52kg
1ere : Mailys
2eme : Camille
3ème : Gabrielle
Category -63kg
1st: Blessed
2nd: Soalala
Category +63kg
1ere: Alice Amoussatou
2eme: Onja Prisca
3eme: Kelly
Men
Category – 66 kg
1er: Arthur
2eme :Ando
3eme: Sanda
3 days: Mahé
Category – 81kg
1ere: Rialy
2eme: Mirado
3eme: Raitra
3ème : Stephan
Category +81kg
1st: Sautron
1st: Mathias
1st: Red
2eme: Rija
Table tennis : Young and old rewarded
The diaspora is full of table tennis talent. For the RNS, table tennis is above all exchanges, sharing of experience and above all this family spirit and camaraderie which reigns between all the participants. From edition to edition, the number of participants continues to increase and the youngest in this edition is only 8 years old. The elders, like Nicolas Razafimamonjy known as Sotema, share their experiences and acquired knowledge with the younger ones. Rado Raliterason, head of table tennis, is happy with his team and what happened in two days between competitions and exchanges.
The results
Under 13
RAZAFINDRAHAINGO Rina
RABEMANJARA Ayden
HARSOLAKSONO Soan Sun
Hobbies
RALITERASON Harvesting
MAJOR Aliyah
RAZAFINDRAHAINGO Rina
Intermediate level
RASOANAIVO Aina
RALITERASON Harvesting
MAJOR Ayden
Advanced level
TOWARIMINO Mirma
KASSIM Ismael
RAZAFIMAMONJY Nicolas (Sotema)
Davis Cup
KASSIM Ismael
RAZAFIMAMONJY Nicolas (Sotema)
RAZAFINDRAHAINGO Rina
MAJOR Aston
GOD BLESS Dylan
ANDRIAMIFIDY RAKOTOSON Ndrato
Tennis: Yves and Kaliana stand out
The world of the little yellow ball of the diaspora is not left out. The titles are shared. In the first series, Jerry Ramilison was crowned on the men’s side against Yves Samison, Kaliana Razanajatovo on the women’s side against Tiphaina Razanajatovo. For the 2nd men’s series, the coronation went to Thomas Rabanoel at the expense of Cédric Ramilison. In the doubles tournament, the Arena Mathis Ratahina-Safidisoa Nomenjanahary duo beat Jerry and Cédric Ramilison. “It’s a great success for this 2024 edition with a lot of people, a very good level of tennis play especially in the final and it went well”Lucas Andriamasilalao told us.
RNS : A remarkable attendance
There were approximately 10,000 participants, athletes, artists and visitors who gathered in Vichy during the three days of the 2024 National Sports Meeting. “Everything went well despite the weather except for the football tournament where we ask for awareness and responsibility from all stakeholders and everyone. As an organizer, we must improve, for the improvement of our sports tournament”, underlined Dadah Andriamasilalao, president of the national executive committee of the National Sports Meeting. In 49 years, the RNS remains the largest tournament in the diaspora. In 2025, it is the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the RNS, and the party promises to be great for this half-century of existence!
Dossier created by Tanjona DEVAUX HARIJAONA (VICHY).
