The Cng of struggle had taken the bull by the horns by “strengthening” the regulations concerning the delays noted during major fights. But with what happened on Sunday evening at the National Arena, during the Eumeu Sène-Sa Thiès fight which ended after 11 p.m., there is an urgent need to bring out the stick again.
By Amadou MBODJI – “The organizers could at least tell us that it’s a night fight, otherwise I wouldn’t have left home around 2 p.m..” These words from an amateur lodger sum up the atmosphere of disappointment linked to the late start of the Eumeu-Sa Thiès fight, Sunday at the National Arena.
It was in fact at precisely 10:38 p.m. that the referee whistled the start of a fight which ended after 11 p.m. A “record” that must be attributed to the organizers who did nothing to be on time and allow spectators to return earlier than expected. Like this face-to-face between Balla Gaye 2 and Tapha Tine which we could really do without for a shock planned for… next July.
If we add the preliminary fights which dragged on, we understand why the fans were divided at the end: a beautiful spectacle put on by the two wrestlers, but weighed down by a nocturnal return home, with all the consequences linked to a growing insecurity.
Obviously, it will now be a matter of locating responsibilities. The young promoter, Fallou Ndiaye, does not beat around the bush to designate in the first place the Cng of struggle.
“I think that the Cng must take its responsibilities to apply the regulations in all their rigor. If we require small wrestlers not to do their choreography if they arrive late, this measure should apply during big fights. Everyone saw that Sa Thiès and Eumeu Sène arrived late. They showed up a few minutes past 6 p.m. The Cng has the power to impose the regulation in all its fullness. The rules are the rules, they must be respected,” insists our interlocutor.
A perfect transition to talk about the regulation that the Cng had put on the table in January 2023.
Where is the circular which sets the start of the big fight at 7 p.m.?
Having noted indiscipline and unacceptable delays, especially during major fights, the body, through a circular note, took new measures to enforce the timing during wrestling galas.
This is how the authority decided to start the major fights at 7 p.m. sharp. Subject to a suspension imposed on the offending wrestlers. And among these decisions, there is a strong measure concerning sanctions against wrestlers who exceed the regulatory time for mystical preparation. “Any wrestler who has exceeded his preparation time after 10 minutes authorized for the big fight, will pay from his remainder, 10,000 Cfa per minute for the first 10 minutes, 20,000 Cfa per minute from the 11th minute and 30,000 Cfa from the 21st minute. Financial penalties stop at the 30th minute,” we can read. “Beyond the additional 30 minutes, the wrestler concerned will receive an automatic suspension ranging from 6 months to 3 years,” the document continues. Which announces another big decision taken by Bira Sène regarding the start time of the big fight. “The duration of the major wrestling match with striking is 2 times 10 minutes, with a break of 3 minutes, and if necessary an extension of 5 minutes. The duration of a preliminary fight is 2 times 5 minutes, with a break of 2 minutes and, if necessary, an extension of 3 minutes.
Today, apparently all these decisions are put in the drawers, if we rely on the excesses observed on Sunday at the National Arena. Opportunity therefore for the Cng to bring them out and apply them to the letter. It’s that simple !
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