Madagascar's pétanque team targets a double in Thailand
The four-player squad, led by coach Herinirina Edmond Ratsimba, flies out on November 18 for the 52nd World Championships in Khon Kaen.
Madagascar's national pétanque team will compete at the 52nd world championships in triplette and precision shooting, held from November 20 to 25 in Khon Kaen, Thailand. The four players selected after trials in Ankatso from October 10 to 14 are Olivier Rakotomanana, Faralahy Urbain Joseph Ramanantiaray, Tendry Fitia Fanjamanovofifaliana and Lova Satamandimby Rakotoarisoa.
The squad has been in final training in Antsirabe since November 2, and the two-week camp ends on Wednesday. National technical director Juan Éric Rakotondralambo said the aim is a double, and that sessions focused on precision shooting and team cohesion. The delegation returns to the capital on Thursday and flies out on November 18, with a stopover in Addis Ababa.
The team is again led by coach Herinirina Edmond Ratsimba, known as Hery Morondava. Madagascar has won two triplette world titles, in 1999 and 2016, and in 2024 in Dijon its triplette side lost the final 11-13 to Italy.
Why it mattersPlayers and their families in Madagascar face a two-week wait for results from Khon Kaen, with the squad departing November 18.