The third Laure-Ecard international basketball tournament has begun. Against the backdrop of a tribute to the young girl – who died on April 6, 2008, in an accident on the A8 -, the opening ceremony took on a very political angle. Eric Ciotti (president of the General Council) and Gilles Veissière (deputy for Sports) were present.
Laure Écard (15 and a half) tragically died on April 6, 2008, in an accident on motorway A8. She was a member of Nice Cavigal Olympique. Since then, all of Nice has been in mourning.
To pay tribute to her, her parents have championed an exemplary project: organizing an international basketball tournament. For the third time this year, the Leyrit hall (on Fornero Meneï street) hosts the competition under the responsibility of the Union of Nice basketball societies and the City of Nice.
After watching the last minutes of the first match between Spain and Russia (logically won by La Roja, 68-50), the audience is carried away by a very “Ben-Hur” style music. In turn, the Russian, Belgian, French, and Spanish delegations present themselves on the court. The players proudly carry their flag.
A complex in Saint-Roch square named after Laure
Then, it’s Eric Ciotti and Gilles Veissière’s turn to step onto the shining floor of the Leyrit hall. The former international referee, representing the deputy mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, did not miss the opportunity to remind that “he is the one who wished for the organization of this tournament”.
And the president of the General Council of Alpes-Maritimes announced: “The cultural and sports complex in Saint-Roch square is open. It will be inaugurated in September. And, as I promised, it will bear the name of Laure Écard”. Thunderous applause followed.
Subsequently, the deputy of the first constituency of Alpes-Maritimes and the former referee were presented with a jersey of the French team by the tricolor captain, along with the tournament organization member t-shirt.
Finally, it was time to attend the second match of the evening. The French faced the Belgians. Despite a timid start and a lapse in the second period, the French team, the Bleuettes, won 56-45. For Laure.
