AS Monaco Youth Academy Shines at National Eloquence Competition in Versailles
Two academy players represent Monaco at a prestigious national event showcasing the intersection of sports and public speaking.
On May 12, the U16 players from AS Monaco's Academy participated in an internal selection for the Eloquence Contest organized by Prométhée Éducation.
Two representatives, Dany-Karl Vimond and Waren Jean-Louis, advanced to the national finals held at the Château de Versailles.
As part of this initiative, seven players from the 2009 generation took the stage to express their views on various topics before a distinguished jury.
The panel included Sébastien Muet, Academy Director, Mohamed Slim, President of Prométhée Éducation, Carlos Aviña, Technical Director of AS Monaco, Manu Dos Santos, coach of the U17 team, and Philippe Christanval, a former AS Monaco player and French champion in 2000.
The eloquence contest serves as a component of the Academy's socio-educational program aimed at developing the psychosocial skills of young athletes.
Each speaker presented engaging and personal speeches on subjects they had researched throughout the season.
Waren Jean-Louis addressed the theme of fear, exploring it as both a hindrance and a motivator in athletic performance.
In contrast, Dany-Karl Vimond tackled the question of fighting for one’s rights, emphasizing the importance of equality beyond social class or wealth.
Sébastien Muet expressed his admiration for the students' presentations, noting the depth and value in their texts and the strong character and personality displayed in their speeches.
He highlighted the significance of the event in supporting the personal development of young athletes, emphasizing the importance of both athletic prowess and effective communication skills.
Prométhée Éducation's Mohamed Slim underscored the necessity of such competitions in the realm of professional football, arguing that good vocal skills are as important as technical ability on the pitch.
The program aims to cultivate cognitive, emotional, and social competencies among the participants, which includes developing the ability to handle pressure and engage effectively with an audience.
Waren and Dany-Karl showcased a confident demeanor as they prepared for the national finale, which featured competitors from nine other esteemed training centers including Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique de Marseille.
The young athletes expressed their readiness and lack of apprehension regarding their participation.
Following a day of compelling speeches, Dany-Karl Vimond secured the second prize in the national finals, while Waren Jean-Louis narrowly missed the podium.
Their performances have drawn parallels to previous finalists from AS Monaco, who had a platform to voice their opinions at the French National Assembly.
In the aftermath of the competition, the students reflected on their experiences, with Dany-Karl expressing a desire to convey greater emotional depth in his speech, noting the added pressure of the national stage, while Waren shared pride in their achievements and the representation of AS Monaco.