Nice Première: Mr. Toussan, can you tell us about your event for the League Cup final?
Noël Toussan: For the League Cup final, the EPIS Complex will have a special “red and black” day. Indeed, all of our services, whose aim is the socio-professional integration of mentally disabled adults (intellectual disabilities or mental illnesses), whether in typical work environments or protected ones, or in standard living environments or protected living environments, will be mobilized. The idea is for us all to participate in this event, all as enthusiastic supporters, with no differences, other than to share an exceptional moment.
NP: How did this idea come about?
NT: This idea came about naturally, from our common desire to extend beyond the professional aspect of our support, in order to come together in a spirit of sharing and solidarity, as spectators, all united behind OGC Nice.
NP: How will this red and black day unfold?
NT: The day will start at 2 PM with a five-a-side football tournament on a pitch located in Cantaron, at one of our facilities. Various teams will be made up of Complex employees, as well as workers and residents with disabilities. There is no doubt that the matches will be competitive but will be conducted in a spirit of fair play.
The evening will continue with a meal served in the cafeteria, which will act as a curtain-raiser, to prepare us mentally and physically for the big event of the day.
Indeed, after the effort comes the comfort; it will be a sauerkraut meal. We regularly embark on gastronomic escapades through our beautiful French, European, and global regions to avoid chauvinism. For us, on every occasion, it’s about respecting and sharing differences, discovering them as a human enrichment.
We will continue the evening by broadcasting the match on a big screen in the cafeteria decorated in “red and black.” There is no doubt that this moment will be filled with emotions, and it will end with a fireworks of shouts and joy, marking the victory of OGC Nice over the rival from Nancy by two goals to zero.
NP: Sport and CAT are faithful partners. Can you tell us more about this?
Ever since the beginning, we believe that sport is an excellent vector for integration. Through our numerous participations in collective sports competitions (football, basketball), athletics, swimming, sailing at the departmental, regional, national, and international levels in the field of adapted sport, we aim to provide those we support with structured and fulfilling situations, psychologically and physically.
Sport, as a means of experiencing new situations of sharing and communion, respecting the rules of the game, also brings us, as professionals of social integration, enormous satisfaction by discovering capacities and potentials in our athletes and supporters, which we can later transpose into their daily lives.
Their role as supporters is also inscribed in their daily life. Indeed, they are often in the stands of the Ray stadium, cheering on their team.
We have also been participating for two years in an “ordinary” seven-a-side football league. The team consists of Complex employees, workers, residents, friends, and colleagues, sympathisers of this noble cause, which is to overcome the perceptions that “normal” people may have of mental disability. What a wonderful communication vehicle to simply meet as “footballers”!
NP: Finally, if you had to give your prediction for this finale?
NT: 2-0 for OGC Nice.
GO NICE, and we hope that the dynamism of extraordinary footballers can give even more determination to the professional players of OGCN.
