Pregabarane Balane – President of France Cricket

According to records in the French national archives, cricket was already played in the north of France in 1478. By mid-1700 many clubs were established and we can fin records of tournaments from the mid-1800’s to mid-1900’s.

Few decades after, the game came back to life again with the arrival of immigrants from UK and India and many clubs were created. However, despite the participation of France in international competition, cricket is still not well known in a country where football and tennis get full attention from the media and sponsors. Prebagarane Balane, President of France Cricket, wants to develop the practice of cricket in France, which should start from the primary school.

This young entrepreneur whose family came from Karaikal knows that funds and awareness are the keys factors to develop the sport he is so fond of.

In partnership with USEP (association in charge of sport in primary schools), they launched the Street Cricket Program to teach cricket to the kids but also to the sport teachers. In keeping with Government policies, courses and training are being given in French language and girls are involved in the school cricket program on equal term with boys. Thanks to France Cricket efforts, we might see in few years the French team playing against India at a major competition.