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Sport · Education · Career Transition 29 July 2025 · Centre Éya d'Akpakpa, Cotonou (Benin) · MYBARIKA On 29 July 2025 in Cotonou, MYBARIKA asked out loud a question Beninese sport had avoided for far too long: what happens to our athletes once the spotlight fades? In a packed hall, "Pro et Après?" ("Pro, and After?") became the first national panel devoted entirely to professional athletes' transition out of sport. Why this evening mattered In 2025, Benin faced a painful reality. Razack Omotoyossi, a national football legend and the country's all-time top scorer, went through hard months largely ignored by the very world that had celebrated him for fifteen years. His story became the symbol of a structural problem that is rarely named. More than 70% of professional athletes end their careers with no transition plan, no structured savings and no clearly defined professional identity beyond their sport. They receive world-class athletic training; no one teaches them to manage their money, name their skills or prepare for what comes next. The transition always arrives too soon — and almost always without a safety net. It was in this context that Mouphtaou Yarou, an international professional basketball player and founder of MYBARIKA, brought together five icons of Beninese sport and a leading journalist around one table. An honest evening, no filter The format was deliberately open: a free evening debate, driven by questions from the moderator and the audience. An authentic atmosphere, direct testimonies, and a room full of active athletes, former sportspeople, journalists and institutional representatives. The panelists Hugues Zinsou Zounon — SRTB journalist, moderator, National Order of Merit of Benin Mouphtaou Yarou — Basketball, MYBARIKA founder and organizer Jean-Marc Adjovi-Bocco — Football, national legend, successful transition Isabelle Yacoubou — Basketball, international Michael Poté — Football, professional Ahmed Taofik — Multi-sport, cross-cutting perspective Four messages that struck the room Anticipate, don't react Preparing for life after sport must begin during the active career, not when the contracts stop. Every competitive season is a year to build what comes next. Transferable skills are real Discipline, resilience, leadership and performing under pressure are first-rate professional skills. Athletes just don't know how to name them — and that can be taught. Your network is your first capital

Unir nos forces pour surmonter la crise La pandémie de coronavirus (COVID-19) représente un défi majeur pour les systèmes de santé à travers le monde. Le personnel médical est soumis à une pression énorme, des équipements et des fournitures sont urgemment nécessaires, et dans de nombreux endroits, des structures de santé temporaires doivent être mises en place pour gérer l'afflux massif de patients nécessitant des traitements spécialisés. L'évolution rapide de la pandémie de COVID-19 a des conséquences qui se font sentir dans tous les coins du globe. Dans ce contexte difficile, MY BARIKA collabore étroitement avec les agences de santé au Bénin, d'autres partenaires, ainsi que la population béninoise, pour soutenir la lutte contre le virus et limiter sa propagation. Les actions de MY BARIKA face à la pandémie Les activités de soutien mises en œuvre par MY BARIKA visent à répondre aux besoins immédiats et à atténuer les conséquences à long terme du COVID-19. Ces actions sont résumées ci-dessous. Elles ont pour objectif de préserver la santé de tous, conformément aux recommandations des institutions de santé au Bénin, et de promouvoir des mesures d'hygiène et de santé essentielles : se laver les mains, couvrir sa bouche et son nez en cas de toux ou d'éternuement, éviter de toucher son visage, et maintenir une distance sociale. Mesures d'hygiène essentielles Lavez-vous fréquemment les mains avec du savon et de l'eau - ou de préférence avec un désinfectant pour les mains - afin d'éliminer les virus qui pourraient se trouver sur vos mains. C'est simple mais très important. Évitez de toucher vos yeux, votre nez et votre bouche. Cela peut empêcher le virus d'entrer dans votre corps. Les mains entrent en contact avec de nombreuses surfaces couvertes de virus. Une fois contaminé, le virus atteint rapidement le visage, où il peut pénétrer dans votre corps et vous rendre malade. Couvrez votre bouche et votre nez avec votre coude plié lorsque vous toussez ou éternuez. Si vous utilisez un mouchoir, jetez-le immédiatement et lavez-vous les mains. Portez un masque lorsque vous sortez pour faire des courses. Les gouttelettes propagent le coronavirus. En termes d'interaction sociale, gardez vos distances. Un écart minimum d'un mètre doit être maintenu. En respectant cette distance, vous évitez d'inhaler les gouttelettes émises par une personne qui éternue ou tousse à proximité. Vous devez également respecter les cordons sanitaires établis par le gouvernement. Rester informé et agir Si vous ne vous sentez pas bien, isolez-vous. Veuillez suivre toutes les instructions émises par les autorités sanitaires locales. Si vous avez de la fièvre, une toux ou des difficultés à respirer, consultez un médecin, mais appelez à l'avance. Restez informé, car les autorités sanitaires locales communiquent régulièrement des informations sur la situation dans votre région. Suivez leurs instructions spécifiques et devenez un leader dans votre communauté en respectant les règles ci-dessus et en aidant ceux qui vous entourent à les appliquer. Distribution de matériel de prévention MY BARIKA s'est également engagée à distribuer des affiches de sensibilisation, des kits de lavage des mains, du savon, des désinfectants pour les mains et des masques pour lutter contre la pandémie de coronavirus (COVID-19). Ces efforts visent à sensibiliser la population aux bonnes pratiques d'hygiène et à réduire la transmission du virus. Les conséquences à long terme de la pandémie L'impact de cette épidémie s'étendra bien au-delà de ceux directement infectés. Nous craignons que la sécurité alimentaire des populations déjà vulnérables ne se détériore en raison des pertes de revenus que la situation engendrera. Nous sommes également préoccupés par les enfants malnutris qui ont besoin de soins et dont l'avenir dépend de la capacité de leurs familles à répondre à leurs besoins. C'est pourquoi nous poursuivons nos activités humanitaires à travers le pays pour les soutenir tout en nous adaptant afin d'éviter de devenir un vecteur de contamination. Conclusion : Ensemble, nous pouvons faire la différence Ensemble, nous pouvons surmonter ces défis. Chaque geste compte, et chaque action individuelle contribue à la protection de notre communauté. En adoptant des comportements responsables et en soutenant les initiatives locales, nous pouvons tous jouer un rôle dans la lutte contre le COVID-19. Je vous invite à rester vigilant, à vous informer et à agir pour le bien-être de tous. Pour plus d'informations sur nos actions et comment vous pouvez aider, n'hésitez pas à consulter notre site web ici.

Cotonou, February 27, 2026. A date that will be forever etched in the history of MY BARIKA and in the hearts of hundreds of young Beninese. In the electric atmosphere of the Benin Excellence hall in Godomey, silence fell — giving way to the power of words. After months of fierce competition, BONI Ramissou, from CEG Kandi (Alibori), was crowned National Champion of the first edition of the eloquence contest "Les Voix de Demain" (Voices of Tomorrow). A final marked by excellence Over 160 candidates entered, representing all 12 departments of Benin. Only 10 finalists earned the privilege of taking the stage for the grand finale. Before a panel of expert judges and an audience including education authorities and prestigious partners such as the Fondation Vallet and CAEB, these young leaders proved that the "New Generation" is ready to take flight.
Ramissou Boni: The meteoric rise of the lioness from Alibori Ramissou's journey is the very definition of resilience and hard work. Ranked 15th in the pre-selection phase with a score of 81.5/100, nothing foreshadowed such a dominant performance in the final. Yet once on stage, Ramissou transcended the statistics. With perfect diction, expressive gestures, and a powerful conviction that moved the audience, she reminded everyone that eloquence is not merely the art of speaking well — it is the art of making truths resonate. Her victory sends a powerful message: no matter where you come from or where you start, boldness and preparation forge champions. "The voice convinces, but emotion and gesture make it powerful — they transform a speech into impact." — MY BARIKA Organizing Committee Mouphtaou Yarou's vision: From the court to the podium For MY BARIKA's founder and president Mouphtaou Yarou, this success is the culmination of a deep conviction. A former professional basketball player who attended the prestigious Villanova University (USA), he has brought the discipline of high-level sport into education. "I learned at Villanova that talent alone is not enough without work ethic. Today, with 'Voices of Tomorrow,' we give young people the most powerful weapon in the world: the ability to structure their thinking and persuade," he said proudly. More than a competition — a springboard for life Ramissou leaves not only with the title of "Voice of the Year 2026", but also, thanks to our partners, with a complete package for her future: The prestigious trophy and a gold medal A state-of-the-art educational tablet A collection of classic and African literary works An intensive public speaking coaching program A note of thanks to our partners This event would not have been possible without the institutional support of the Ministry of Secondary, Technical and Vocational Education, and the logistical support of Benin Excellence. Together, we are building a Benin where every child — from Kandi to Cotonou — has the right to dream and the power to speak. The impact of eloquence on youth Eloquence is far more than the art of speech. It empowers young people to assert themselves, defend their ideas, and engage in constructive debate. By developing their communication skills, we give them the keys to becoming active and responsible citizens. The importance of education Education is the cornerstone of our society. It allows everyone to flourish, discover their talents, and contribute to the collective good. By supporting initiatives like "Voices of Tomorrow," we invest in our country's future and in the potential of our youth. Conclusion: Ready to make your voice heard? Are you ready to make your voice heard? Join us for the 2nd edition! Together, we will keep building a promising future for our young people. #MyBarika #LesVoixDeDemain #EloquenceBenin #YouthLeadership #EducationForAll

MY BARIKA is proud to launch the first edition of "The Voices of Tomorrow", a national eloquence competition that aims to reveal the oratorical talents of Beninese youth and prepare the leaders of tomorrow. A national competition This multi-stage competition generated remarkable enthusiasm: more than 160 candidates from all regions of Benin registered. After rigorous selections, 27 semi-finalists were chosen, and then 10 finalists were selected for the grand final, which was held at the FSS Hall of Benin Excellence in Godomey. Themes that inspire The candidates explored profound and timely themes: leadership, African identity, innovation, the environment, and the continent's success stories. Each speech was an opportunity to demonstrate the intellectual richness and creativity of our youth. Committed partners This project would not have been possible without the support of our partners: the Ministry of Education, the Vallet Foundation, Benin Excellence, and the CAEB network. Together, we are building a future where every young person has the opportunity to express themselves and shine. See you for the second edition in 2026, with the ambition of reaching more than 300 candidates!

From August 4 to 6, 2025, MY BARIKA organized a basketball camp in Parakou bringing together 40 passionate young people — 20 girls and 20 boys — around the values of sport, leadership and excellence. An intensive and balanced program For three days, participants benefited from nine technical sessions led by Coach Alassane Zoulkifouli, 2nd Vice-President of the Benin Basketball Federation. Beyond the court, two personal development workshops on leadership and nutrition complemented this unique experience. Results that speak for themselves With a 95% attendance rate and a perfect balance between girls and boys, this camp demonstrated that sport is a powerful driver of inclusion and development. The young participants not only improved their technical skills but also developed their self-confidence and teamwork. Beyond the Game: The Pro Camp Building on this success, MY BARIKA also launched the "Beyond the Game" Pro Camp in Cotonou from July 21 to 26, 2025, an intensive program combining high-level sports training and professional workshops. In partnership with Retro Ondaine Basket, this camp allowed young athletes to discover that a successful career is also built off the court. MY BARIKA will continue to organize camps in different cities in Benin in 2026. Stay tuned!

Access to education is a fundamental right, but for thousands of children in Benin, the lack of school supplies remains a major obstacle. That's why MY BARIKA launched the "Education for All" project, an ambitious initiative to distribute complete school kits to over 1,000 underprivileged children. Complete kits for success Each kit contains the essentials for a successful school year: a backpack, notebooks, pens, pencils, a ruler, and geometry tools. These supplies, often unaffordable for the most vulnerable families, make all the difference in a child's educational journey. School mentoring: long-term support Beyond distributing school supplies, MY BARIKA offers a school sponsorship program for the most deserving students. The selection criteria are demanding: a minimum average of 12/20 and ranking among the top 5 students in their school. Selected students benefit from personalized mentoring, tutoring, and summer programs. Academic competitions In partnership with ASSEEN, MY BARIKA also organizes spelling and math competitions in the Borgou region. More than 12 schools and 48 students participate in these competitions, which promote academic excellence and foster positive competition between schools. You can support this program by making a donation or sponsoring a child at mybarika.org. Every contribution counts!

En avril 2022, une journée exceptionnelle a illuminé le Collège d'Enseignement Général I de Natitingou, au Bénin, marquée par un acte de générosité et d'engagement envers l'éducation. L'association MYBARIKA, représentée par son organisateur général Nathanaël Alofa, a offert un don précieux de près de 200 livres d'éducation scientifique et littéraire d'origine béninoise à l'établissement. L'événement a débuté avec un discours d'ouverture inspirant de M. Tapsoba Saïbou, le Directeur du CEG I. Dans son allocution, il a chaleureusement accueilli les participants et a exprimé sa profonde gratitude envers l'association MYBARIKA et Nathanaël Alofa pour leur geste généreux. Il a mis en avant l'impact positif de cette donation sur les enseignants et les élèves, soulignant que ces livres enrichiront les ressources pédagogiques de l'école et contribueront à la croissance intellectuelle des apprenants. M. Tapsoba Saïbou a également reconnu la présence essentielle de M. Garba Hassane, qui a toujours été le lien solide entre le CEG I et l'association MYBARIKA. Il a salué le rôle clé de M. Hassane dans la promotion de l'éducation et dans la réalisation de cet événement remarquable. La présence de M. Garba Hassane, en effet, a été un témoignage vivant de la coopération durable entre le CEG I et l'association MYBARIKA. Son engagement inlassable a été souligné comme un catalyseur de ce partenariat fructueux, démontrant ainsi l'importance de la collaboration entre la société civile et les institutions éducatives pour favoriser un changement positif dans la communauté. L'événement a été empreint d'une atmosphère d'unité, de gratitude et de célébration de l'éducation. La présence conjointe du Directeur du CEG I, M. Tapsoba Saïbou, de M. Garba Hassane et de l'organisateur général de l'association MYBARIKA, Nathanaël Alofa, a symbolisé l'engagement collectif envers l'éducation de qualité. Le don de près de 200 livres d'éducation scientifique et littéraire par l'association MYBARIKA au CEG I de Natitingou a marqué un pas significatif vers l'amélioration de l'éducation dans la région. Cette journée restera un témoignage de l'impact positif qui peut être réalisé lorsque des individus et des organisations s'unissent pour soutenir le développement éducatif de la jeunesse.

The MYBARIKA association organized an educational and tourist outing on December 23, 2023 for students benefiting from its scholarship program. The main objective of this outing was to enrich the students' educational experience by combining several aspects: This outing aimed to offer students a unique opportunity to strengthen their knowledge and skills while providing them with memorable and motivating experiences. It thus made it possible to combine education with fun and cultural activities in a setting different from the traditional classroom. Click on the pdf for more details and information.

On Saturday, September 7, the Collège d’Enseignement Général (CEG 1) of N’DALI hosted a memorable awards ceremony, marking an important milestone in the promotion of education in the commune. This event is part of the competition organized by the Association of Schoolchildren and Students for the Emergence of N’DALI (ASSEEN), with the active support of the NGO MYBARIKA. This partnership between MYBARIKA and ASSEEN reflects a common vision: to strengthen schooling and encourage academic excellence among the youth of N’DALI. Together, the two organizations have joined forces to offer students enriching educational opportunities, while valuing their merit and commitment. The NGO MYBARIKA, known for its involvement in social and educational initiatives, played a key role in the success of this event. Through its close collaboration with ASSEEN, it has helped mobilize resources and raise awareness in the community about the importance of education. This partnership has also helped strengthen ties between various local stakeholders, such as schools, municipal authorities and the media. ASSEEN, for its part, continues to position itself as a key player in educational development in N'DALI. Thanks to this collaboration with MYBARIKA, it was able to organize a competition that brought together students from the 12 public middle schools in the commune, highlighting their talent and potential. This event perfectly illustrates what a synergy between local associations and committed partners can achieve. By working hand in hand, MYBARIKA and ASSEEN are laying the foundations for a promising future for the youth of N'DALI, where education remains at the heart of community development. This partnership is a true source of inspiration for all those who believe in the power of education as a lever for social transformation.