Ethiopia’s annual National Pétanque Championship concluded this week in Dire Dawa, with a team from Addis Ababa claiming the national title in the strategically demanding boule sport that is steadily gaining ground across the country.
Organized by Francophonie in collaboration with the French Embassy, the tournament drew athletes from multiple regions for the final competition. It began with qualifiers in Addis Ababa, where about 20 teams of three players each competed. The top three teams from the capital advanced to face 10 local Dire Dawa squads, bringing the total to 16 teams in the national finals.
In a push for inclusivity, organizers issued special invitations to teams featuring female players, reflecting efforts to broaden participation within Ethiopia’s sports scene. The final match unfolded with intense focus and tactical play, as competitors aimed to place their metal balls closest to the target cochonnet while blocking opponents.
Victory went to the Addis Ababa trio of Zelalem Gizaw, Zelalem Fisseha and Tsegaye Wolde, who overcame their second-place finish in the capital qualifiers to dominate the Dire Dawa court. Their gold-medal performance capped a hard-fought tournament marked by precision and discipline.
Zelalem Gizaw, speaking after the win, highlighted the sport’s unique demands. “This sport is about more than just physical fitness,” he said. “It requires proper adherence to rules and high sportsmanship discipline. Maintaining ethics on the court is as essential as the accuracy of the throw.”
Pétanque, a French boules game played on any flat surface, emphasizes strategy over power. Players throw underarm while keeping both feet together within a circle, making it accessible yet challenging. Its low equipment needs and minimal space requirements have helped it spread beyond urban areas in Ethiopia.
