Mouhamed Tafsir Ba brought Senegal the first world title in its history at the end of September in this combat sport which has more and more fans in the West African country. Among the women, her compatriot Ndeye Khady Diallo obtained silver for the 2nd consecutive time in lightweight (-60kg).
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These results shine a spotlight on this discipline that appeared in Senegal around thirty years ago and driven by a handful of enthusiasts who invest tirelessly, despite a lack of resources. In a dilapidated room in a military barracks, coach Phamora Touré trains the national team, gives demonstrations and advises the fighters.
The former African champion, who discovered the discipline while watching Belgian action film star Jean-Claude Van Damme, is one of the pioneers who launched kickboxing in the Senegal at the end of the 1990s. Recently, a new management team has given it a second lease of life.
“ Between 2022 and now, we have had more than 300% membership » , indicates Yakhya Diop, the president of the federation, who estimates the number of practitioners at around 6,000 in around fifty clubs.
In less than three years, Mouhamed Tafsir Ba has reached the heights
Coach Phamora Touré came across future world champion Mouhamed Tafsir Ba while attending an English boxing competition. “ I saw his qualities and his potential if he started to work on his kick », he relates. In less than three years, the Senegalese-Guinean, originally from a working-class district of Dakar, reached the top. “ I wanted to immigrate, to travel to a country like France or the United States because I thought that if I wasn’t there, I could never succeed. Since I discovered combat sports, I decided to stay here », declares the champion. “ By being Senegalese, by training here, you can become a legend, you can become a world champion “, he said. You have to believe in yourself and work “much harder” than others.
Before kickboxing, the 23-year-old tried his hand at karate, roller skating, the circus, gymnastics, kung fu and boxing. From now on, he dreams of being a champion of MMA.
The Senegalese have a long tradition of combat sports. The Senegalese struggle remains one of the most popular sports in the country. However, being a high-level athlete has its share of difficulties.
Limited means
One of the biggest fears of athletes is injury. Treatment is expensive, rarely reimbursed and most fighters are uninsured. “ Sparring partners are hard to find because they refuse to take certain hits so as not to get hurt », deplores Mouhamed Tafsir Ba.
Another obstacle is the lack of means, to travel for official competitions, but also to train. Rings and protective equipment are missing.
“ Cash comes first from our pockets “, says President Yakhya Diop. To attract practitioners, in often disadvantaged environments, the price of the license increased from 10,000 to 3,000 CFA francs (from approximately 15 to 5 euros). Even if the number of registrants has increased, the federation lives on a budget of less than 2,000 euros annually, he says. The manager is counting on the results at the world championships to develop “ a high performance center », attract sponsors, increase revenues, and train a new generation of cracks.
Amadou Keïta, 12 years old, one of the hopes of the discipline, trains alongside his idols. “ When you see them training, never giving up, it’s inspiring. Like them, I want to become world champion “, he assures.