Fido B: 'No pain, no gain'
Fido Boucherit, a UAB student with reduced mobility and a PIUNE user, has come sixth at the Boccia World Open in Colombia. He is now one of the top 40 Boccia players in the world and at his next competition can qualify for the Rio 2016 Paralympics.
This sport is divided into 7 categories according to the physical characteristics of each player. In the BC3 category there are players with mobility difficulties in all four limbs that play with the help of a ramp because they cannot throw the ball themselves. This is the sport played by UAB Sociology student Wafid Boucherit Bendahmane, a 28 year old born in Algeria and who arrived in Catalonia 16 years ago.
His development as a professional player and his technical improvement have led him to the verge of his first Paralympic Games after his excellent results at the Boccia World Open held from 28 October to 3 November in Santiago de Cali (Colombia).
During a few days off after the effort and pressure of the competition in Colombia, Fido visited the Solidarity Autonomous Foundation (FAS) to share his experience as an elite Boccia athlete.
You have just returned from the Boccia World Open in Colombia. How are you doing in qualification for the Paralympic Games?
The national team players took part in the Boccia World Open in Colombia. In the doubles in the BC3 category, with Javier Martínez, we came fifth and unfortunately did not qualify because that was the last doubles competition. However, individually, with my assistant Glòria Herranz, I came sixth and there is still one competition left that may be decisive for qualification for the Rio Paralympic Games.
Most people have never been to an international championship. Tell us about it.
At international level, I have competed six times, in China, the UK and Colombia. I can now say that I am the 34th best Boccia player in the world! It is a great and very rewarding experience. Not only do you compete doing an activity you love, but also you get to meet people from all over the world, and I think that is very rewarding. When we go to an international competition, there are 10 players and 10 sport technicians from different places around the country so, sadly, we only meet for gatherings and competitions. However, there is a feeling of unity, because Boccia is a sport that unites people. I guess that, given the limited professional
opportunities and how little this sport is promoted in this country, it is easy for those of us who play to bond together.
You have been to different international championships, but if you qualify, would it be your first time in the Paralympic Games?
Yes! I am very excited about it because being part of the Olympic or Paralympic Games is the greatest thing an athlete can aspire to in their career. And I can do it!
Would you like to continue in the world of Boccia after the Rio Paralympic Games?
Of course! I still have a very long way to go as an athlete. My biggest challenge is to win a medal at Tokyo 2020.
Is Boccia fairly unknown in Catalonia and Spain?
Yes, it is, but it is not like that everywhere. There are countries where Boccia is very well respected, like the UK, Portugal and South Korea. Given that is a paralympic sport, it should be given more importance.
What abilities and/or knowledge have you gained from the world of Boccia and sport?
Playing Boccia has given me a lot. One of the main things is that by working hard I can improve a little every day. I have learned to fight for my goals. No pain, no gain. You should never drop your guard, or stop working hard. You must always move forward and work very hard. I strongly believe that if you want something, you have to fight for it. And as I said before, Boccia has helped me to make friends from all over the world! I’d say that friendships are one of the most important aspects.
How do you make elite training compatible with university studies?
I live in Barcelona and from Monday to Friday, except Thursdays, I take the train to the CAR in Sant Cugat and on Saturdays and Sundays we usually have regional competitions. In all, I train 12 hours a week. It is compatible because the teachers have made it possible and because I don't register for all the subjects in each academic year, I only register for a few so I can manage my training and my university studies. The UAB also helps with PIUNE, the service that cares for to students with specific learning needs. I believe their work to be very important, because it makes university more inclusive. Two classmates, “support students”, also help me with my notes and accompany me to 4 courses. The faculty has a tutor for students with special needs, Xavier Rambla, who does follow-up of our situation, exam adaptations and also speaks with other professors.
Which obstacles do you face?
To be honest, the main obstacles that I face are financial. The national team pays for the travel costs, but not for sports materials, which are expensive and not usually available on the normal market, like the ramp that BC3 category players need. I get quite a small grant, 80% of the costs come out of my own pocket.
On the other hand, and it is not an impediment but a reality, many Boccia players need help from volunteers in order to train. It is not an impediment, but I’d like to take this opportunity to call on anyone who would like to help make our sport possible. Just send an email to direccio@fecp.cat.
The following video made by the Sports Federation Union of Catalonia shows Fido’s day-to-day life and highlights the importance of the technical assistants that are part of their life as professional players.