FRANCE 98 – Tunisia: Bechir Manoubi, photographer and supporter

A hat covered in badges and accreditation. A walk slowed down by the weight of cameras. Bechir Manoubi, with FRANCE 98, is covering his eighth football World Cup. Over the years, this sports photographer has become one of the mascots of Tunisian sport.

“I am first and foremost a supporter of TUNISIA (Group G). The federations call me to all the major events as a good luck charm,” explains Bechir. This former top level boxer and sprinter has catalogued tonnes of photographs, which bring back countless memories: “My favourite coverage was for the World Cup in Argentina, not only for the competition itself, but also for the discovery of this magnificent country.”

Eight World Cups as well as nine Olympic Games and ten Mediterranean Games: Bechir’s track record is impressive. However, with age catching up on him, weariness is starting to take over: “I will always remain a sports fanatic. However, the official red tape gets increasingly on my nerves. I don’t know if I can continue for much longer.”