Africa-Press – Senegal. The town of Joal (Thiès, west) hosted the first edition of the Joal-Fadiouth crossing, a swimming tournament which brought together nearly 250 participants, APS learned from the president of the Senegalese Swimming and Lifesaving Federation (FSNS) Maguette Dieye.
“Among these 250 swimmers, 150 come from the Dakar region. The rest comes from the regions of Thiės, Fatick and Kaolack”, explained Maguette Dieye who took part in this first edition of the crossing of Joal-Fadiouth during the weekend.
Several categories made the crossing between Joal and Fadiouth, two sites connected by a stream that allows swimmers to complete a course of 1,500 meters. Local participants from Joal and swimmers from other regions participated in the senior and junior races.
The senior participants are mainly regulars on the famous Dakar-Gorée crossing with a course of two times 1,500 meters.
« This first edition is a way of promoting and popularizing the discipline of swimming among young people in the regions because generally everything is concentrated in Dakar », continued Maguette Dieye, saying he was « surprised by the enthusiasm of young people for swimming ». .
The president of the Senegalese Swimming and Lifesaving Federation has put forward the idea of creating several swimming clubs in Joal to integrate them into official competitions organized by the federal body.
A plea reinforced by the mayor of Joal Fadiouth who mentioned the creation of a beach brigade in her town.
“Young people engage in irregular emigration in Joal. This is an opportunity to create a beach brigade by training the young people of the town on swimming skills to enable them to become lifeguards, ”advocated Aissatou Sophie Gladima, the mayor of Joal.
This swimming tournament is organized as part of the cultural week “Sunu August 15 in Joal Fadiouth” as a prelude to the celebration of the Assumption.
This cultural and sports week is « punctuated by communication and awareness-raising activities focused on education for citizenship and peace, » said the Mayor of Joal.
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