NGor

IFA pupils make national swimming history

IFA are delighted to announce that a group of our pupils from Ngor are officially among the best young swimmers in Senegal.

On Sunday the 31st August 2008, 17 year old Matar Samb became the youngest ever winner of  the most famous swimming competition in Senegal.

The race known nationally as the Dakar Goree Cup, has a strong field of over 1000 competitors.

Shown throughout the country on live TV, it is one of the key sporting events in Senegal.

This year’s race was at the new distance of 8 kms, whereas in previous years the race was over a far shorter distance of 3 kms.

Matar led from the start and never looked like losing ground. In the end he had an unassailable lead of over 300 metres.

Matar was delighted with the win, especially after his second place finish in last years event.

Matar joined IFA in 2007 after initially leaving school at just 8 years old. He spent most of his youth swimming and fishing, but decided to re introduce himself into the schooling system when IFA was formed in his town of Ngor.

A natural athlete he has already been crowned West African champion over 50 metres, a feat he accomplished in the Ivory Coast in December 2007.

In the girls event, also over 8 kms, Diadou Diagne of IFA Ngor came second in a race that involved over 300 girls.

Diadou joined IFA in march 2007 and she has greatly improved her reading and writing skills.

In the junior events there was more cause for celebration when 14 year old Papa Alassane Diop won his race, with fellow pupil Ousseynou Gueye (12 years old) finishing second.

15 year old Madike Kane beat the field in the 5 kms Junior race to complete an outstanding set of results for IFA Ngor.

Vice President of the Senegal National Swimming Federation, Mr Samba Ka-Samb is delighted with IFA and the new stars of Senegal swimming.

He said “Education is very important for all young athletes and children in general. I am very grateful for all the work IFA does and would like to thank them for the efforts they make to bring the opportunity of education to the children of Ngor”

IFA Co-ordinator Babacar Gueye was very proud of our pupils achievements and went on to say, “ All the children are a lot more confident in themselves now, especially after the Dreams and Teams training programme. They have already started to have wider objectives, such as the Olympic Games in London 2012 and other more internationally based dreams, due to their involvement with European based partners such as IFA and Bishop Wand School .”

IFA are actively seeking sponsorship for Matar Samb, so he can continue his swimming career abroad, where the facilities are better. We feel with suitable training the Olympic Games in London 2012 are a genuine possibility.