Editorial

A new lease of life

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the race, commemorated last year, we would like to invite all those involved in the Tour du Faso to reflect on the future of this important sporting event which has been organised in partnership with Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O) since 2001.

As the supervisory authority, we are delighted that, thanks to this partnership, the event has achieved such popularity. Nevertheless, we are also concerned about the future, particularly if we have to envisage the Tour without A.S.O.

Although, today, we enjoy the benefits of the expertise and considerable experience of our Tour de France friends, we should not forget that we are in a partnership that is not limitless and which therefore needs to be renewed periodically. If one day, for one reason or another, the agreement between us is not renewed, does the Tour have to come to an end all the same?

This is not just a pessimistic scenario, it is a realistic attitude that obliges us to set new objectives: greater involvement in the organisation of the Tour, transfers of skills and greater involvement of Burkino sponsors based on a new approach designed to make the Tour du Faso an ideal vehicle for promoting companies and products.

The Ministry and organisers have had a frank exchange of views which has led us to review the organisation of the event to take into account its realistic financing capabilities. Although the primary motive of our partnership is not to make profits, it cannot continue to make losses either.

Without prejudicing the quality of the competition, which seems likely to remain extremely high given the quality of the teams entering the event, we have considered it appropriate to reduce the number of competitors and the length of the event in order to limit the overall budget. It will not however be a cut-price Tour that you will be given, far from it, but rather a more realistic Tour in terms of scope and length.

This position is very much in line with the recently adopted national sports policy which calls for rigorous planning of all sporting activities.

It is an appropriate moment for us to thank A.S.O. management for their help in establishing the basis of a new start for the event, and for their understanding of our desire to redefine the organisation of the Tour.

Friends of the "little queen", I very much hope that you share this vision, the aim of which is to ensure that the Tour can continue to develop harmoniously, sheltered from the uncertainties of the future. The Tour du Faso is a heritage that we need to cherish preciously.

An excellent sporting event for all. Let the best man win!

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