CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
|
Senegal |
SPORT
Senegal has its work cut out to make an effective showing in the finals of the World Cup
For the first time, Senegal will take part in the final stages of the World Cup football competition due to take place in Japan/South Korea, from 31 May- 30 June 2002. Nearly all its team consists in Senegalese professionals, playing in European teams, mostly in France.
Since February, Senegal is already Africa’s number two champion. This followed the finals of the African Cup of Nations, won by Cameroon in Bamako (Mali). Cameroon’s footballers are Olympic champions, and the team is said to be among the best teams in the world. Senegal, for its part, has been rated as the year 2001’s best African team and is numbered among the 32 best world teams.
In less than a year, Senegal’s football team has acquired such a good reputation that it can measure up to any «eleven» in the world. Football fans are looking forward to the Senegal-France match on 31 May. It should be a good game because most of Senegal’s players are from France’s first division. The team coach is Bruno Metsu, and being French (with a back-up staff of Senegalese specialists), he is well versed in the techniques of French football. This opening game has been described as a «France against France» match.
Call-up
The whole country is getting ready for this particular football match — and to a lesser extent, for those which follow —against Denmark (6 June) and Uruguay (11 June).
Politicians, especially those in government, are doing their utmost to ensure that Senegal’s footballers meet with success. They follow President Wade’s example (he’s been in office since 19 March 2000) by continually repeating his slogan: «Senegal — the winner». This particular slogan has been applied to every sector of national life — ever since the Opposition took power in the last elections. In any case, the government has invested considerably so as to ensure success in the World Cup. To a lesser degree, the government did the same for the African Cup of Nations.
The final stages of the World Cup are taking place far away, and any football fan wishing to travel to South Korea and Japan has got to be prepared to find a great deal of money for the journey, match tickets and accommodation. It won’t be easy for the average citizen because of the prevailing unfavourable economic situation. But people have come up with ingenious solutions such as organised travel with payment in advance, either by instalments or on credit with deductions made from salaries. It could be that among the fans will be people hoping to make a quick buck (and so paying their way) — through the sale of goods in Asia.
Expo — concerts — and kora
Five business groups have gone even further. In February, even while the African Cup of Nations was still taking place, they set up a limited company having for objective, to organise a Senegal Crafts Exhibition, running at the same time as the World Cup.
In their publicity brochure, they describe themselves as: «An International Society for Promoting Craft Industry». Those involved have organised exhibitions in the Japanese town of Fujie (15-25 May), and in the South Korean town of Daegu (25 May-10 June), to exhibit Senegalese craft and industrial products. They’ll also put on folk shows (ballets and dances) and kora concerts. (Editor’s note: The Kora is a unique instrument with a harp-like appearance and a notched bridge similar to that of a lute or guitar). Added to that, discussions centering on Senegal’s economy, and round-table discussions on South Korea and Japan’s various economic sectors, and you have a programme of events which will hopefully attract numerous visitors.
Nearly a hundred talented Senegalese artistes and artists will take part, in the following domains: Traditional weaving, ceramics, painting, batik work, sculpture. There will be musicians, artistes, artists and economists.
Senegal is the only country having taken such an initiative hailed by the President «as of wide consequence and of great importance for the “new look” Senegal.
ENGLISH CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
PeaceLink 2002 - Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgement