Marseille Stands with Mayotte: Jersey Auction to Aid Cyclone Victims
In a gesture of solidarity, Olympique de Marseille (OM) has announced a special initiative to support the people of Mayotte following the devastation caused by Cyclone Chido. The club will auction off the jerseys worn by its players during their Coupe de France match against Saint-Étienne on Sunday, with all proceeds going towards relief efforts.
Funds raised through the auction, hosted on the platform MatchWornShirt, will be donated to Secours populaire français, a humanitarian organization actively providing aid to those affected by the cyclone in Mayotte.
This act of support reflects the strong bond between Marseille and Mayotte. The club highlighted the presence of a large and passionate OM fan base in mayotte, as well as the history of Mayotte-born players representing the team. Notably, Toifilou Maoulida, who played for OM from 2006 to 2007, hails from Mayotte.Adding to this connection, two current OM players, Keyliane Abdallah and Raimane Daou, have personal ties to the island. Abdallah, Maoulida’s nephew, spent part of his childhood in Mayotte, while Daou, born in Mayotte and a Comoros international, represents the neighboring archipelago.”The entire OM family, including President Pablo Longoria, expresses their deepest sympathy and unwavering support to the people of Mayotte and the families of our players who have been directly impacted by this tragedy,” stated the club in a press release.
The devastating impact of Cyclone Chido is evident in the latest figures released by the Ministry of the interior, reporting 35 confirmed fatalities and over 2,500 injuries.President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged the possibility of a higher death toll, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to determine the full extent of the disaster.
Standing in Solidarity: An Interview with Toifilou Maoulida on Marseille’s Support for Mayotte
Introduction
The sports world often transcends boundaries, uniting fans and athletes in times of both party and hardship. Recently, Olympique de Marseille (OM) demonstrated this powerful connection by announcing a jersey auction to aid the victims of Cyclone Chido in Mayotte, an island with strong ties to the club. Today, we’re joined by former OM player and Mayotte native, Toifilou Maoulida, to discuss this heartwarming initiative and explore the unique bond between Marseille and Mayotte.
A Connection Forged Through Football
moderator: Toifilou, welcome to the show. As a former OM player born in Mayotte, you have a unique perspective on this situation. Can you tell us about the strong bond that exists between Marseille and Mayotte?
Toifilou Maoulida: It’s an honor to be here. The connection is truly special. Mayotte has a massive and passionate OM fanbase. we feel the club’s spirit deeply, and OM has always shown respect for Mayotte. Having represented OM myself and seeing players like Keyliane Abdallah and Raimane Daou follow in my footsteps is incredibly inspiring.
Moderator: Your nephew, Keyliane, is currently playing for Marseille, and Raimane Daou was born in Mayotte. It’s evident that OM’s commitment to Mayotte goes beyond mere geography.
Toifilou Maoulida: Absolutely. It reflects a genuine sense of community and shared values. When OM steps up to support Mayotte in its time of need, it reaffirms the strength of that bond.
A Gesture of Solidarity
Moderator: The recent cyclone disaster has devastated Mayotte, impacting countless lives. What are your thoughts on OM’s decision to auction game-worn jerseys for relief efforts?
toifilou Maoulida: It’s a fantastic initiative. It’s heartwarming to see a club go above and beyond, using its platform and resources to directly assist those in need.
Moderator: Do you believe this act will resonate with OM fans and the wider football community?
Toifilou Maoulida: I’m confident it will. Football fans are incredibly passionate and empathetic. When they see a club like OM taking such a proactive stance, it inspires them to participate, donate, and show their solidarity.
A Call for Action
Moderator: Our thoughts are with everyone in Mayotte affected by the cyclone. To our readers, what can they do to contribute to the relief efforts beyond participating in the jersey auction?
Toifilou Maoulida: Every bit of support counts. Even small donations to reputable aid organizations working on the ground can make a significant difference. Spreading awareness about the situation, sharing information about relief efforts, and offering words of encouragement to those affected can also be incredibly powerful.
Moderator: A truly inspiring example for us all. Toifilou,thank you for sharing your insights and for your support of Mayotte.
We encourage our readers to visit the MatchWornShirt platform to participate in the OM jersey auction and support the victims of Cyclone Chido in Mayotte.
What are your thoughts on OM’s gesture of support? Let us know in the comments below.
