Ex-Moroccan Soccer Star Khalid Boutaïb Buys Hotel in Hometown Bagnols-sur-Cèze

Former Moroccan international Khalid Boutaïb, who plays as a striker for Pau FC, and his partner Rida Khoubza, both 36 years old, are the new owners of the Hotel Bar Brasserie des Sports and are equal partners, "50-50", reports Midi Libre. "These young people dared, they negotiated with the seller, they are taking over the establishment, it can only be pleasing," rejoices Maxime Couston, first deputy mayor of Bagnols-sur-Ceze who knows these thirty-year-old Bagnolais whom he affectionately calls "two children of the country".

"They grew up with my son," the elected official confides, saluting their career which "deserves to be highlighted." "They are serious, they want to revive the Place Jean-Jaurès and earn their living with it," he adds, thus trying to nip "certain rumors" tending to discredit the new management of the Hotel Bar Brasserie des Sports. "For us, it is important to feel supported and accompanied by the town hall," declares Khalid Boutaïb, a prolific scorer for the Atlas Lions. In total, five jobs, a barmaid, three waiters and a hotel employee were saved after the takeover operation.

The weekend of Saturday, August 19 and Sunday, August 20, 2023, the hotel opened its doors. The establishment was fully booked for the Sheila concert. The bar also opened to the public, where they can watch rugby World Cup matches or enjoy the fairground entertainment during the town festival. Upstream, the two new owners recruited a barmaid. "She is very qualified. She has experience, she has worked for ten years with competitors. She is competent and trustworthy. Her face is known to the people of Bagnols," emphasizes Rida Khoubza.