King Baudouin Borain Stadium?
Our men’s national team has played and won its last two home matches at the Mons-Arena, against Lithuania (February 21, 2020 as part of Euro 2022 qualifying) and Serbia (November 28, 2021 as part of qualifying for the 2023 World Cup). Is the objective to make the Mons-Arena the King Baudouin Stadium of the Belgian Lions?
“Whether it’s the Mons-Hainaut club or the AWBB (Editor’s note: the Wallonia-Brussels Basketball Association), we all have the will to perpetuate the presence of the Lions in our room. At least for the playoffs of the World Cup And I believe that at the level of the players and the staff, the will is identical after the convincing victories these last two years at the Mons-Arena against Lithuania and Serbia, two teams of the world top-10. They, too, want to stabilize in Mons because they find facilities there that meet their needs perfectly. And we hope to see a lot of supporters again this Friday.”
We know the importance of playing football at home (the width and length of the field, the state of the lawn, the slope sometimes…). What about basketball?
“Obviously you would have to ask the players themselves but I am convinced that it is important, yes! Having a form of habit in the context of national team matches is essential because the staff cannot bring their group together only for five to six days. Going to the same hotel, in the same places, in the same city and in the same room… a room that would become THE home room of the Belgian Lions.”
And what do the leaders of Mons-Hainaut have to gain from history?
“First of all, there is of course an interest in highlighting our facilities, the very beautiful infrastructures of our city, but also sport in general and basketball in particular in our region. events that highlight what works well and what is pleasant in our area. And therefore, hosting a national team is an exceptional showcase. For the club but also for the city of Mons which has a real power of tourist attraction thanks to its heritage. The Walloon Region and the French Community must be stakeholders in the project so that they, too, can enhance their infrastructure and what is positive there.”
Basketball has evolved over the past ten years. In the media, it imposes itself less than before. So is there a great opportunity here to get people talking and talking about basketball again?
“If we want to attract young people to sport, we need locomotives. And the locomotives are obviously top athletes, professional clubs and national teams. They have to be put forward. You know, professional sport It’s not just sport that offers big salaries to players… at least, that’s not the case in basketball. And so, to attract young people, you have to show them things that resonate with them. I think that it works with a national team…”
The Belgian Lions have achieved excellent results recently against Lithuania and Serbia. It’s also probably why our national team wants to stay in our room… there is perhaps a slightly fetishistic aspect!
Flanders richer
To create movement, you also need results. We saw it with the Cats or with the Red Lions, Olympic hockey champions, the results attract the public and the media.
“It’s true and precisely the Belgian Lions have achieved excellent results recently against Lithuania and Serbia, big names on the planet basketball. This is also probably why our national team wants to stay in our room… there may be a bit of a fetish aspect to it! Players realize that it’s a place that suits them well. Let’s hope it lasts as long as possible. Hoping that the public bites into it again. hook. If we can keep the activities of the Lions in Wallonia, it will only be positive. Not everything can go to our Flemish friends! At some point, our authorities must realize that we must highlight what is is well with us, supporting all the efforts made by the AWBB to try to keep a large part of the activities of the national team on the French-speaking side. “
You are clearly appealing, an appeal for financial aid, to the Walloon authorities because organizing these matches costs a lot of money. In the north of the country, clubs volunteering to host such events are much more supported…
“Yes, we know the economic power of the Flemish Region. It’s nothing new. There are more resources there. Organizing a match of any national team, of any sport, will be d “office much more subsidized in Flanders. To be able to host such events in Wallonia, we are therefore asking for the help of the political powers because the Walloon Region and the French Community will also find a way to stand out there. Our infrastructures meet the requirements FIBA (Editor’s note: the International Basketball Federation) We must even look a little further: in 2024, the Olympic Games will be organized in Paris… and Paris is a three-hour drive from Mons, which is nothing at all for a selection that would be looking for a base to prepare for the competition. We must therefore promote these infrastructures which could, why not, be used within the framework of the Paris Olympics. “
