Guess what many youngsters in this city are asking their friends in France to bring them the next time they board a homebound flight from Paris?
Well, what is beating cologne and cognac hollow on the list of sought-after merchandise is a metal throw ball — much smaller than one used in American bowling and lighter than the one flung by brawny shot put athletes.
These metal spherical balls, or Boules in French, are much-sought-after by the growing bunch of Petanque enthusiasts in the city.
Petanque, a game that is said to have originated in the La Ciotat commune in Provence, France, in the early phase of the 20th century, was one of the many French traditions brought to these shores by war veterans recruited into the French Army during the World Wars.
“The game has been popular in the city for over five decades,” says Antonie Souce, coordinator of the Petanque Association which is now being led by a new team of office-bearers under Franclin, president.
Old-timers say that well before that, Petanque was a favourite pastime among close-knit communities of French who played the game on the grounds on Gingee Salai, the courtyard behind the Joan of Arc and the confines of the recreational club Le Cercle de Pondicherry. It was later picked by the Franco-Tamil communities.
A measure of just how popular Petanque has become is the fact that today there as many as 40 clubs with a membership of about 2,500 players affiliated with the New Petanque Association in Puducherry.
A week ago, when the Government-sponsored sixth annual Petanque tournament got under way at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in Uppalam, virtually all the clubs had their teams in the fray.
The event attracted 636 registrants.
The annual Petanque tournament held in the city follows the rules set by the FIPJP, the international federation governing the game.
“These rules include a dress code, the stipulation that only one must be 18 years of age to participate and that the weight of the boule should be in the 600 to 800 gm range,” said Mr. Souce.
Petanque has flourished in the city in spite of the sourcing difficulties for the boule.
“Most players rely on someone they know in France to get one,” said Chandiran from the KFPC club.
A set of three balls can cost anywhere between Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 20,000, players say.
He feels that increased Government support can work wonders for the game. “Given the unique stature of the game, we would like to take it to the rural areas and even to enclaves such as Mahe, Yanam and Karaikal,” he said.
The KFPC club has even suggested to the government to extend sports quota benefits to Petanque players and sought representation in the sports council.
Strangely, women are yet to take to this sport. “We believe that government patronage can take Petanque further mainstream and even fire the interest of women. After all, it took so many years for women to take to a popular game like cricket,” said Mr. Chandiran.
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