This weekend marked the 18th World Championship of Pilou, held in Coaraze in the heights of Nice. Throughout Saturday, 40 teams competed until the two best faced off in the famous final.
Much like the FIFA World Cup, the winning team received a prize. The only difference: it wasn’t a gold trophy, but an item crafted by schoolchildren from Coaraze. Organizer Emmanuel Mari explains, “It’s a symbolic gift. In this sport, we emphasize the spirit of fair play.”
For the past 18 years, this enthusiast has run his association “Avanti,” which aims primarily to promote Niçoise culture through pilou, a sport simple both in concept and tactics. Emmanuel Mari, a true lover of this sport, shares his reason: “I fell into it when I was little. I took up the family torch because this sport is truly a joy for me!”
A moment of conviviality where children and adults can play on the same team and where violence is grounds for disqualification. These are the defining characteristics of Pilou summarized. Played only in Nice and its surroundings, this sport particularly attracts young people. Around 200 of them attended the tournaments, seated under olive trees.
Throughout the rest of the year, matches are also organized at the port of Nice and Villefranche-sur-Mer. The next major event: September 2nd for the 1st “Master de Pilou,” organized by the association “Testa d’or.”
Let’s also acknowledge the victory of the “Benfica Napoli” pair from Valrose over “Les endormeurs” from the Blue Devils.
And as we say each time… Until next year!
