The Thousand and One Lives of Abdelatif Benazzi
Everyone knows Benazzi the gladiator, but fewer know Benazzi the benefactor. From Oujda to Cahors, from Morocco to France, from his commitment on the rugby field to his involvement in charitable associations, Abdelatif Benazzi is a man of many battles, always fought for noble causes and with respect for his opponents. Indeed, Abdel tells me that he fights ideas, never people. This assertion will be the guiding principle of this article. We will briefly discuss his fight for rugby, emphasize his fight for ethics, and conclude our interview with a new section: what if rugby were…
Benazzi the Gladiator: His Fight for Rugby and for France
On the field as a player
The first player of Maghrebi origin to become a member of the French national team, he earned 78 caps and captained the team 10 times. His commitment to rugby is undeniable; a warrior on the field, his impressive physique and jumping skills allowed him to dominate the French lineout for several years. 8 Five/Six Nations tournaments, including a Grand Slam in 1997 as captain, and participation in 3 World Cups make Abdel an iconic figure in French rugby. Having hung up his boots many years ago, he remains close to the rugby world and continues to advocate for his beliefs.
Off the field
Appointed to the High Council for Integration by Jacques Chirac in 1997, he spent three years there under the direction of Simone Veil. Attached to the republican values of France, his sporting experience and wisdom give him a keen eye on sensitive issues of integration and respect for others, always distinguishing between the private and public spheres. Promoted Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur in 1999 and decorated with the Ordre national du Mérite in 2008, he holds the two most honorary distinctions awarded by the French State.
His fight for ethics:
Abdel states that "our sport is in danger" because the fundamental value of ethics is being debased. When he was a player, rugby taught him the importance of the collective and its primacy over individualism, the strength of respect, and the duty of exemplary conduct. The French national jersey belongs to no one or to everyone, but not just to the person wearing it. The wearer is, for a time, entrusted with a mission that transcends them; they carry something much greater than themselves, embodying a nation and its array of values for the duration of a match. Rugby is about values, and the entire rugby chain is responsible for upholding these values—the players, of course, who are exposed to the media, but also the governing bodies who must set an example for young people and for the institutional and economic partners who surround them.
"When I see the values of rugby trampled, my strength is multiplied, as is my desire to fight against their distortion; I love my sport and what it represents too much not to try to give back what it has given me."
His fight for children: the Noor association
Convinced that children's education determines their own future and that of their society, he decided to use his notoriety to create an association and embark on a new fight.
Benazzi the Benefactor: His Fight for the Children of Morocco
In a fragmented society, education is the foundation for building a better future. This idea prompted Abdel to create the Noor association in 2003, which means "light" in Arabic. The goal of this association is to renovate or build schools in rural and isolated regions of Morocco. The fight against educational precarity is a real challenge in Morocco because even though schooling has been free and compulsory since 2002, certain underserved territories force children to walk for several hours to go to school when they are not compelled to work to support their families. The Noor association has now existed for 10 years, is well-established in its territory, and has carried out concrete actions, some examples of which are:
- creation of a school in Sidi Lakhdar (Eastern Morocco), 60 kilometers from the city of Oujda, in partnership with the Regional Delegation of Jerada of the Kingdom of Morocco.
- purchase of a minibus for school transportation in partnership with the regional delegation of the Ministry of Education of Jerada.
- annual organization since 2004, in collaboration with UNESCO, of a sports weekend in Oujda for young people from the region.
- construction of a rugby museum at the municipal stadium of Oujda.
Benazzi, the benefactor, is not an usurped title, for he whose association is named "light" is a discreet figure whose generosity shines even in the shadows.
The Oriental Legends, a charity golf tournament
Abdel very quickly understood that light was sacred for several reasons. We could extend the metaphor of light as a guide, a means to fight against darkness and obscurantism, a driver of performance, and also a way to see and make known.
This is precisely the purpose of the Oriental Legend. This tournament shines a light both on the Noor association and on an entire region of Morocco. A region that will benefit from positive economic spin-offs and will thus be able to continue its development through responsible tourism. In a virtuous cycle, the children living in this region will grow up and be able to find work more easily, in turn contributing to the development. The Oriental Legends will bring together over two rounds (36 holes) 24 high-level athletes who will be associated with sports personalities, celebrities, and Moroccan and European business leaders.
Religion Rugby supports the Noor association and stands alongside the Giant of the Atlas.
Abdelatif Benazzi has been an ambassador for the brand with XV values for four years. He represents the value of generosity within our identity. We are proud to contribute to the success of his project by sponsoring the Oriental Legends for two years now. Each participant will wear a Religion Rugby polo embroidered with the association's emblem. You can find the legend player collection here, Abdelatif, the Giant of the Atlas, whose profits are reinvested for charitable purposes.
What if rugby were...
Abdel inaugurates our new section, an original way to communicate about rugby and convey certain messages.
If rugby were a dish?
It would be a big couscous. A convivial dish par excellence around which different cultures and personalities can gather and share a moment of fraternity. Couscous is like rugby; various ingredients with different properties are brought together, and their marriage elevates them, making something better. This is like a rugby team.
To share this moment, I would invite several rugby personalities, from all levels and backgrounds, because what matters is the sharing of values that transcend all differences. To my left would be Johna Lomu, Philippe Sella to my right. There would also be Jacques Fauroux, my coach from the Saracens, Mustapha from the Oujda club, Christian Califano with his Maori tattoo, not forgetting a cadet or junior from the Ychoux club.
If rugby were a moment?
It would be a journey to the ends of the earth without ever leaving a changing room. Everyone has their own story, their own experiences. In a changing room, if you take the time to talk and get to know each person, your mind can wander.
If rugby were a memory?
My father's voice when I told him about my first selection for the French national team and what he said to me: "You just have to sing loudly during the Marseillaise, thinking of your family, even if you don't know the words."
Finally, to conclude this interview, Abdel has a message for the French team:
"Win the World Cup, it's time!"
