Re-elected unanimously for a third term following a general assembly which, due to the pandemic, had to be held via videoconference, Philippe Manassero welcomes us to the new offices: “For the past year, we have been settled within the Bois de Boulogne residence, opposite our former headquarters, in a 120m2 space perfectly suited to our operations,” he tells us with a broad smile of satisfaction. Indeed, for the first time, the CDOS 06 is in its own place, having acquired ownership of the premises.
“Sport is almost at a standstill. A political and strategic choice by our leaders that I understood a year ago but that I understand less and less over the past few months,” he continues, spreading his arms wide: “Covid-19, beyond its trail of misfortunes and constraints, is putting the ‘economy’ of sport in great danger.”
For him, “The primary concern of CDOS 06 for 2021 is to focus on the situation of associations and committees, loss of members, withdrawal of partners, employment contraction, difficulties in organizing meetings. The most difficult times may still be ahead.”
For the record, during the first lockdown, CDOS 06, from the very outset, implemented “live” sessions on its Facebook page to continue to live and foster a true dynamic of sharing.
“Every morning with ‘Gym for Neighbors’ conducted by Tyne Manassero which, over 55 classes, attracted nearly 120,000 connections. A big thank you to her. Thanks to Stéphanie Nucera, sports nutritionist, who provided advice every week, as well as Philippe Angel, mental coach for the CDOS 06 hope team, who explained how to cope with the lockdown, not to forget Bernard Maccario, sports historian, who introduced us weekly to the story of an athlete from the French Riviera. Thanks also to all high-level athletes who conveyed messages of solidarity to our caregivers,” he says.
He reminds us that “engaging in sports activity is beneficial for our body but also for our mental health and psychological balance. Many doctors are concerned about seeing the French become more sedentary. We may be protecting ourselves from the pandemic, but on the other hand, there is a noted decrease in physical activity, weight gain issues, and a disruption of social life, with us experiencing a separation from social life connected with our clubs.”
Nice-Premium: The return to normalcy that we all wish for will allow us to look ahead to the much-anticipated major event, the Paris 2024 Games
Philippe Manassero: “The upcoming Olympiad will be a wonderful opportunity to implement innovative programs for our youth to encourage and develop sports and its values. Through the ‘Terre de Jeux’ label, the Paris 2024 organizing committee wishes the Games to be shared by as many people as possible. This ‘Terre de Jeux 2024’ label was awarded to CDOS 06, and as I’ve already mentioned, I dream that every commune in this department will submit an application for labeling so that the Alpes-Maritimes, during the next Olympiad, becomes a true ‘Land of Play.’
Paris 2024, but also the city of Nice, as an Olympic city for football, will ride the Olympic wave throughout the next four years. CDOS 06, as well as all Olympic, Paralympic, and non-Olympic departmental sports committees, will have a real role to play both among the youth and all populations, whether in urban areas, in the countryside, or the mountains.”
Nice-Premium: What are the activity areas that define the role of CDOS 06 in the territory?
Philippe Manassero: “Our field events managed by the ‘Education Citizenship’ division are the living proof, with the most well-known being the Sports Caravan, as well as the Olympic Days, the Olympic and Paralympic week, and initiatives centered around ‘Generation 2024’-labeled schools.
Our commitment and strength lie in inspiring children to engage in sports either in a club or at school. The ‘bridge card’ is an example, established by the CNOSF to encourage sports discovery among young people and facilitate their club membership by offering all CM1 and CM2 schoolchildren, licensed with USEP or UGSEL, the opportunity to try out different sports with partner clubs of the operation.
This is why we aim to continue developing partnerships with the national education system. The ‘Generation 2024’ labeling also seeks to build bridges between the school and university worlds and the sports movement to encourage physical and sports practice among the youth.
Nice-Premium: Sport also serves as a vector for local connection and cohesion…
Philippe Manassero: Another strong focus directed toward the youth is the encouragement of associative engagement. We need to further develop the approach to citizenship and living well together. The upcoming release of our booklet ‘Sports & Secularism’ will be a highlight of our coming years.
The theme of radicalization, a very sensitive subject, is important; we must be aware and acquire the necessary tools to detect and prevent. In collaboration with the prefecture and its services, the CDOS has set up training sessions, and we are fully available to continue training educators and leaders in the region.
Nice-Premium: Studies also show the positive impact of sport on health benefits
Philippe Manassero: Health is a public policy issue. Sport must be proactive and offer solutions.
These solutions are available in the sports movement, within clubs. Health is a strong area for their development, diversification, and the possibility of welcoming new audiences, such as people recovering from long-term illnesses, through adapted physical activity or exercise prescriptions.
Under the sports and territory plan, which the CNOSF has asked each branch to implement, sports health was a top priority in the year 2020 and will continue to be worked on with great attention over the next four years.
Many of you no longer compete but engage in maintenance sports for well-being and health. Like you, many are practicing adapted physical activity, but for this, it is crucial for these practitioners to register in the clubs of your respective sports.
Therefore, in 2020, CDOS decided to seek recognition as a Sports Health house, applying for a departmental call for projects with ‘Sport Santé Villages 06,’ which was selected and will be implemented in the hinterland and especially in the Alpes d’Azur community with its 34 ZRR (Rural Revitalization Area) communes, not forgetting that ‘sport is on the field’ will come to life in Bonson.
Sport and disability are also significant issues for our society. We are involved in several initiatives promoting and supporting specialized sports associations, whether Paralympic or adapted.
Nice-Premium: Professional sport is always showcased and increasingly becomes a spectacle industry with managerial orchestration. Yet, amateur sport, driven by volunteers without whom it wouldn’t be viable, is much less talked about…
Philippe Manassero: Supporting volunteers is an important part of our mission. We must not forget that volunteers are primarily grassroots individuals. They feel this need for support, assistance, and advice.
This is precisely what we offer at CDOS 06, with the support of CROS, on volunteer training, but also at the professional level with the integration of our structure into the GEIQ sport Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur.
Nice-Premium: Lastly, the department, in addition to the pandemic, was hit by storm Alex, which devastated the upper-country valleys…
Philippe Manassero: CDOS 06 organized solidarity actions for the affected populations, both on the ground to help the populations, with the support of many sports committees and clubs, Ivan Coste Manière, and his humanitarian association from Grasse, but also the generosity of clubs and athletes. The call for donations raised €50,000, which will soon be handed over to the Department for reconstruction. I am so grateful for this exemplary solidarity.
Nice-Premium: Looking ahead, what are your thoughts?
Philippe Manassero : “Will the post-pandemic world be worse or better than before? I want to remain optimistic.”
