C O N T ' D F R O M P 3 4 .
ANALYSIS
W R E S T L I N G D R E A M S I N S E N E G A L . . .
They are also sociopolitical influencers . When they speak the “ nation listens ”, according to an adviser at la Mairie de Dakar , the city ’ s municipality .“ Wrestlers command such a cult status . They are loved by lots of people and are often courted by politicians to help promote peace and unity . They also most times talk to young people to abandon criminality in favor of a meaningful life . They happen to be role models ,” said Saliou Camara . CRISIS
However , all is not beautiful in the beautiful game . There have been opponents and critics of the use of amulets , ritual pomades and other fetish items to enhance performance . Almost every wrestler has leather or clothed belts girded around the waste , with some running down from the shoulders . Some sprinkle white powder on their passage while being ushered into the ring .
ANOTHER ASPECT OF THE INDUSTRY THAT CALLS FOR ATTENTION IS THE STATUS OF REFEREES , WHO OFFICIATE MATCHES WORTH THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS BUT TAKE HOME PEANUTS .
It takes some athletic legitimacy from the sport and perpetuates the mystic syndrome which many outsiders see as a hindrance to exporting the discipline .
But , locals claim the ritual garment is not a guarantee for success , that it takes its root from the traditional wrestling without which the sport will lose its uniqueness and its
Senegalese essence .
THE SENEGALESE NATIONAL WRESTLING MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE ( CNG ) PAYS A FEE OF $ 100 PER MATCH TO BE SHARED BY THE FIVE OFFICIALS ASSIGNED TO EACH MATCH .
EARLY THIS YEAR , A STRIKE ACTION LED BY SENIOR REFEREES TO PROTEST AGAINST THE “ POOR TREATMENT ” RESULTED IN A LIFE BAN OF ONE REFEREE AND THE SUSPENSION OF THREE TO FIVE YEARS OF A COUPLE OF OTHERS .
WRESTLERS UNANIMOUSLY CONDEMNED THE DECISION . IT REMAINS UNCLEAR HOW THE CRISIS WILL AFFECT THE SPORT BY THE TIME IT RESUMES FROM THE COVID-19 HIATUS WHICH WAS IMPOSED IN MARCH 2020 .
BESIDES BEING A NATIONAL PRIDE , SENEGAL HAS SUCCEEDED IN INSTITUTIONALIZING WRESTLING AS AN ALTERNATIVE SPORT TO FOOTBALL ( SOCCER ) ALMOST AS SMOOTH AS RUGBY IN SOUTH AFRICA AND ATHLETICS IN KENYA AND ETHIOPIA .
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