Hoisted high, the tricolor standard floats at the entrance to the Fabrice Morgado sports complex in Précy-sur-Oise (Oise). This Thursday, September 26, several hundred people paid the honors and properly celebrated their champions, gold medalists in blind football at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games: Fabrice Morgado, Khalifa Youmé and Alessandro Bartolomucci, all licensees of the club of commune in the south of Oise. However, there were only two this Thursday. If the goalkeeper, Alessandro, was retained for professional reasons, the others extended the party for him.
Like prophets returning to their country, Fabrice Morgado and Khalifa Youmé cross the room to cheers. “Fabrice we love you! », we shout from the packed floor. On cloud nine, the two members of the Précy blind football club savor the moment. “We knew it was going to be unique but just as much…” On the stage, Fabrice Morgado, founder of FC Cécifoot Précy-sur-Oise in February 2018, experienced the moment intensely. “It will stay with us forever. »
Laurence, a resident, would not have missed it for “nothing in the world”. “It was very important to come, it’s a great example of a municipality’s commitment to a sport that was hitherto unknown. We wanted to be there to honor them because they really deserve it. »
For more than an hour, the two players took part in the selfie game. Constantin, 10 years old, visually impaired and also a blind football player, is waiting for his turn. “He knows Fabrice well and was able to participate in a blind football course with him,” says his mother Soraya. It’s very touching to see his journey. »
“Show that anything is possible”
A fantastic epic experienced from the inside by the entire club with the awareness of a duty accomplished. “We worked hard,” rejoices Yoan Goriot, the coach of the senior team. So many gold medals for a town like Précy, just over 3,000 inhabitants, that’s a lot. We did the work behind the scenes and they got the reward, that’s good. »
“Since the medal, I have been challenged all the time,” laughs Khalifa Youmé. When accompanying my wife to the hospital, all the staff wanted to take photos and congratulate me. We are very honored. It’s nice and at the same time it’s very moving. »
The club, which hosted the first fields 100% dedicated to blind football in France, intends to continue its rise. A covered chalet will even be inaugurated soon to receive and cater for the public during events. “We are going to ride the wave of the Games,” promises Fabrice Morgado. We will continue to break down the barriers of disability and change the way we look at disability. We want to show that everything is possible. »
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