Davis Cup: 1st round France-Canada will he place well in Guadeloupe? Not so sure – Eurosport.fr

         In early December, Jean Gachassin, the president of the FFT, was delighted to announce the venue chosen to host the first round of the Davis Cup between France and Canada, from 4 to 6 March 2016. For the first time in their history, the Blues are expected to play overseas, on the side of Guadeloupe, in Baie-Mahault Velodrome.
       

         But on this day of Christmas, the holding of the event seems questioned, according to information of Guadeloupe 1st. The concern would be of a financial nature since the overall bill finally amount to 4.5 million euros, or 3 more than the 1.5 million initially announced by Gachassin (including 500,000 euros paid by the FFT) . Earlier this month, the Guadeloupe Regional Council assured “ be capacity to fund this event without tax increase ” but the cost is in fact not at all the same.
       

         The President of the Regional Council of Guadeloupe, Ary Chalus, just elected on December 18, would have refused to sign the big check, well above the amount that is supported by the region. According to the first , Chalus is now in discussion with the Sports Ministry to find a solution and is expected to speak on the subject Monday. There is still hope to Guadeloupe to see the work the child of the country, Gael Monfils, against Canadians.
       

         This meeting of the first round Davis Cup to take place on clay, including 400 tonnes to be transported by boat on the Caribbean island. The budget of € 4.5 million also includes the construction of courts and infrastructure development to host a game of this magnitude at the Velodrome in Baie-Mahault. 8-9 000 spectators are expected to encourage the Blues.
       

Yannick Noah at Roland Garros – Panoramic

         Although work has already started on site, Guadeloupe could therefore turn back. The FFT will then find a quick alternative solution to two and half months of the event. Martinique, the neighboring island, also navigates view with a new governance: “ The Federation may choose a more fail-safe situation I do not know if there will be a reconsideration of Martinique file “said Germain Soumbo, the president of the Tennis League Martinique, Martinique first. The leaders of the tricolor tennis then fall back on old the Hexagon bid cities like Rouen and Albertville. A perspective that may not appeal at all Yannick Noah, at the initiative of the project with its new players.