Courage, Resilience, and the Human Side of Rugby! A Conversation with Serge Betsen

By A Staff Reporter : The Alliance Française du Bengale (AFDB) recently hosted an "AFDB Talks" session with Serge Betsen, former captain and iconic figure of the French national rugby team. The conversation, focused on themes of courage, resilience, and pushing human potential, explored Betsen’s journey both on and off the field.

From "The Grim Reaper" to "Life is Beautiful"

Known for his intense play, discipline, and extraordinary instincts, Betsen earned the intimidating nickname "La Faucheuse" (The Grim Reaper) during his career. However, he admitted that the name is "very scary" and preferred an expression that reflects his current purpose: "La Vie Est Belle" (Life is Beautiful), emphasizing fun, happiness, and being surrounded by good people.

Betsen's journey began by chance. He didn't grow up dreaming of rugby; he discovered it only after arriving in France from Cameroon at age nine. He stressed that success came from determination and hard work after finding his calling, advising that it's "okay to be lost" as opportunities can emerge at any point in life.

A Legacy of Hard Work and Record Tackles

Reflecting on his legendary career, Betsen spoke about the 2002 Six Nations match against England, which he targeted as a showcase of his abilities following a previous setback. The French victory secured the Grand Slam that year. He also recalled a challenging match against the Wales team in Cardiff, where he managed to set a new record by completing 39 tackles during the game. He attributes his success to being effective, focused, and always a dedicated supporter of his teammates.

Giving Back with the Serge Betsen Academy

Today, Betsen's commitment extends far beyond the rugby pitch through the Serge Betsen Academy (SBA), which he founded in 2004. The organization uses the values of rugby—discipline, respect, and team spirit—to empower children in his home country, Cameroon, and also in Mali.

The academy's mission is not to create champions, but to use sport to drive social change, providing:

•Access to education

•Medical assistance

•After-school activities and a computer center

Betsen stated his ultimate goal is to give "every single kid in the world... a rugby ball," hoping it will shape their lives and give them the ability to fulfill their dreams.

The conversation concluded with Betsen emphasizing that excellence is a mindset and a daily commitment, urging people to work hard and be open-minded to make their dreams happen.