| The preselected candidates are training under the sun, on the basketball court at the Barea Mahamasina stadium. |
Sixteen days before the start of the 3×3 Africa Cup at home, the future members of the men’s and women’s national team are tackling two training sessions a day to sharpen their weapons.
Having started the regrouping after the Alley Oop 3×3 basketball tournament, which ended on November 3, the preselected players of the Ankoay men’s and women’s national teams are entering the home stretch of their preparation. The Africa Cup of 3×3 basketball, which will be played in Madagascar from November 29 to December 2 at the Mahamasina Sports Palace, is looming on the horizon.
The preselected participants undergo intensive training twice a day, either in the small hall of the sports palace or on the basketball court near the Barea Mahamasina annex stadium. The day begins at 6:30 a.m. with departure to reach the training ground. Once they arrive on site, Miarantiana physical trainer Erick Rakotondravao, known as Pôty, takes charge of the players for around 45 minutes. After a snack break, from 8 to 10 hours 30 minutes, both men and women train under the direction of their respective coaches on two different fields and work on perfecting collective defense and attack techniques, sessions shooting and opposition.
Coaches devote 30 minutes a day to shooting sessions. Each player takes at least 200 shots from all angles of the court to optimize their accuracy. In the afternoon, the preselected players play sparring partner test matches against other players, applying the instructions given by the coaches in the morning. The ladies play either against players in N1A, or against players in the U18 category for more muscular opposition.
Honor of the country at stake
The national technical director of the Malagasy Basketball Federation, Solofohery Angelot Razafiarivony, gave his opinion on the preparation of the preselected: “We are entering the second phase of preparation, that is to say the final straight. The twice-daily training work focuses on physical and technical-tactics in the morning. The afternoon is reserved for test matches under the watchful eye of coaches who correct actions. What awaits our two national teams is not a cakewalk. Our standard bearers need everyone’s support,” confides the DTN.
A supporter (who wishes to remain anonymous) of the two national teams who came to Mahamasina expressed his point of view on the Malagasy preparation: “In this preparation phase, the preselected need everyone’s help. All people of good will who love Malagasy basketball must help, and I appeal to the Malagasy state, to ministers without exception, to help (water, food, training outfits, sets of jerseys). training…), because it is the honor of the country that these players will soon defend. May not the men and women in power be the only ones to celebrate victories! »
Prisca Razananirina, coach:
“In training, we try to improve the playing system. All the countries participating in this African Cup have evolved. Madagascar must present perfect games and achieve a good performance, playing at home. We have attack and defense strategies adapted to adversaries”
Ravaka Sarobidy Andriatiahiana, player:
“The pace of preparation is very tough, but it is necessary if we want to achieve good performances. Playing at home, we are ready, and the goal is to win the title.”
Jean De Dieu Randrianarivelo, coach:
“Both national teams are showing something positive, which bodes well. All opponents deserve respect, but playing against Egypt at home is a challenge that we want to take on, without forgetting Algeria, currently number one in African 3×3. It won’t be easy, but our goal is the title at home.”
Monja Romain Faralahy, player:
“I will give the best of myself so that Madagascar wins the continental title at home.”
Arnol Solondrainy, player:
“We did a good preparation this time. There is a good atmosphere within the team and the goal for all of us is the continental title at home.”
Richard Rakotomalala, doctor:
“We closely monitor the health of our players by offering them healthy and balanced foods, food and energy supplements to better help them recover well. At the moment, they are all in great shape.”
Donné Raherinjatovo
