Elected in 2021 at the head of the Senegalese kickboxing federation, Yakhya Diop fils is today seen as the precursor of the rapid popularization of this martial art in Senegal. Today with this discipline which combines English boxing, kicks and hands, Senegal has African and World champions. The Senegalese kickboxing federation was received in audience by the Head of State. In an interview with Wiwsport in his new stronghold, “the president’s club” a gym and Kickboxing, Yakhya Diop gives us an overview of this sport and the prospects.
Can you come back to the history of Kickboxing in Senegal?
It started in 1998, almost 30 years ago, it was an association created by our elders including my father. They practiced savate boxing and they launched kickboxing, popularizing the discipline a lot. We started when we were very young, whether it was the DTN or the coaches, they were Kickboxing champions, my masters and myself.
What is the mapping of this discipline in this country?
We had 10 or even 15 new affiliated clubs (bringing the number to 60). On the map, we have clubs everywhere (north, south and center). Dakar has the greatest concentration, Thiès, Mbour, Fatick, Louga and a league in Saint-Louis and Ziguinchor. When we talk about fifty, these are really clubs that only do that. What we have succeeded in our development is also to increase our popularization in other fitness clubs other than martial arts. We’re going to talk about clubs that do zumba and we’re adding Kickboxing. This means that our member bases reach 4,000. Which allows us to establish our bases on the national territory.
Can you come back to the head of state’s tweet which apparently motivated you to fight harder in the final?
For a first, the President of the Republic wrote good luck to the Lions of Kickboxing. When we saw the tweet, I said to Tafsir, this is a unique opportunity to have the encouragement of the Head of State and even better when he congratulates us. Give everything you have and come back with that gold medal. And they gave it their all! Tafsir started as a loser because he was playing with the three-time world champion who is still world number 1. This coronation allowed us to prove the rise of our work. Because we were African champions several times, bronze medal then silver medal in the same year and then gold.
What about the meeting with His Excellency Bassirou Diomaye Faye?
I am the youngest president of the federation and he is the youngest president of the republic, it’s a nice coincidence. In my understanding, it was a question of the president of the republic, the highest authority in the country, in addition to being a practitioner (vietvodao) sending a strong signal. Which is to elevate these champions to the rank of Knight of the National Order of Merit in order to honor the martial arts. He said it! They (martial arts) raise the national flag at the highest level. And this all the time because we compete all year round. Football is once a year or every two years while martial arts is all the time. He took the time to write everything down, find the right words and tell us that he knows because he is a practitioner. He even told us some realities in combat sports that I myself had forgotten. “You arrive at the airport, there is no one to welcome you whereas if it were football, the airport would be full”.
Does the Kickboxer currently make a living from his art?
The athlete’s per diem is 10,000 FCFA per day, there is no reward. This is what the new government found here. There are reforms that will soon see the light of day, such as the sports code, which will help change things. But for the moment, the reality is that we cannot make a living from this art. I, the president, am a volunteer and the expenses come out of my pockets first.
What are your complaints today about still shining on the international scene?
We are in the top 10 in the world in several categories and we have the means to be there for several years. I believe in it and I have this ambition. To prepare Tafsir Ba who is World Champion, you need strict preparation which may not happen in Senegal. Because the conditions are most often not met. It is paradoxical and absurd. We must have our own sports infrastructures, multidisciplinary centers to put our athletes in better conditions. There is also the support of athletes and the change in the perception of combat sports in Senegal. If we are well supported by the State, organizations close to the State or sports diplomacy because we can also seek funds elsewhere. We are sure to bring back many more medals for Senegal.
wiwsport.com
