From Senegal to the French Courts: A Basketball Dream
Leaving home, family, adn friends to chase a dream on another continent takes immense courage. As 2017, four young Senegalese basketball hopefuls have made this leap, landing in Le Havre, France, with aspirations of turning professional. Guiding them on this journey are the Ba brothers: Ciré, a former Le Havre player, and Demba, a former professional footballer who graced the fields of FC Rouen, Chelsea, and Hoffenheim. Both born in France but deeply connected to their Senegalese heritage, the brothers are committed to nurturing talent from their ancestral homeland.
Ciré, the elder brother, spearheads the recruitment process. Alongside scouts, he organizes talent identification camps in Senegal, a nation brimming with athletic potential.”Senegal is not a country where wealth is widespread,” Demba explains, “so I believe that even small efforts can make a significant difference.”
The ideal age for recruitment, according to Ciré, is 15. Younger players might struggle with the transition,while older ones may have missed their window of possibility. This was the case with Idrissa Ba (no relation to the brothers), a towering 2.02-meter player recruited in 2017.
The first year in France is dedicated to acclimatization – adjusting to the climate, city life, food, school, and cultural nuances. “When they return home for the summer,they realise the incredible opportunity they have,” Ciré observes. “Upon their return, they have two years as cadets, allowing us to further develop their skills.”
The project hinges on Jean-Manuel Sousa, the training center coach, whom Ciré hails as “one of the best trainers around.” Demba adds, “Providing these young people with an additional chance in both education and sports is a double opportunity. We hope they can thrive in either field and build a successful future for themselves.”
France boasts a wealth of talented point guards, but lacks towering centers. Recognizing this gap, Ciré focuses on recruiting players around two meters tall. “Their size instantly makes them valuable assets,” he explains. “They contribute significantly to rebounds and other aspects of the game.”
Recruiting in Africa presents unique challenges, particularly regarding age verification. To ensure accuracy, Ciré meticulously investigates each player’s background. “I scrutinize their school records and academic progress,” he explains. “A 15-year-old claiming to be in their final year of school is a red flag. I also conduct bone age assessments and leverage my network, including contacts at Dakar Sacré Coeur, a football club affiliated with Olympique Lyonnais, who provide valuable insights. ultimately, meeting the family frequently enough leads to the truth.”
In Le Havre, the young Senegalese players receive thorough support from the Ba brothers, the STB, and Nicolas Paul, the club’s long-standing agent. their ultimate goal is to see one of these players reach the professional level,ensuring the project’s sustainability.looking ahead, Ciré and Demba aspire to establish a basketball academy in Senegal, further nurturing the nation’s burgeoning talent pool.
from Senegal to the Court: A Conversation with Ciré Ba
Welcome, sports enthusiasts! Today we have a truly inspiring guest, Ciré Ba, the driving force behind a remarkable initiative bringing Senegalese basketball talent to France.ciré, welcome to the show!
Ciré: Thank you for having me. I’m excited to share our story.
Moderator: Let’s delve right in. You’re spearheading a project recruiting young Senegalese basketball players and providing them with the prospect to train and possibly go pro in France. What inspired you to embark on this journey?
Ciré: Both my brother Demba and I feel deeply connected to our Senegalese heritage while also having experienced the world of European sports.We see so much untapped potential in Senegal, and we wont to provide these young athletes a platform to shine.Basketball is a sport where physique and natural talent can really propel someone, and Senegal has an abundance of both.
moderator: The article mentions that you focus on recruiting players around 2 meters tall. Why this emphasis on height?
Ciré: There’s a real need for centers in French basketball. We have manny talented point guards, but towering players who dominate the paint are less common. Height is a huge advantage, especially for rebounds and blocking shots, making them valuable assets for any team.
Moderator: That makes sense. Now, I imagine recruiting in Africa comes with its own set of challenges. Age verification being one of them, right?
Ciré: Absolutely. Ensuring the accuracy of a player’s age is crucial. We’ve encountered situations where players may exaggerate their age to appear more desirable. We meticulously investigate each player’s background, scrutinize school records, and even conduct bone age assessments.
Moderator: That’s a thorough process! It’s clear you’re dedicated to ensuring ethical recruitment. What happens onc these young players arrive in France? It must be a big adjustment, leaving family and everything they know behind.
Ciré: The first year is dedicated to acclimatization. We focus on helping them adjust to the cultural differences, a new language, the climate, and of course, a new schooling system. It’s a big change, but they are incredibly resilient.
Moderator: Do you have any success stories so far?
Ciré: We’re still in the early stages, but seeing these young men blossom both on and off the court is incredibly rewarding. Idrissa Ba, a 2.02-meter player we recruited in 2017,is showing immense promise.
Moderator: That’s fantastic! What are your long-term goals for this project?
Ciré: We ultimately want to see one of these players reach the professional level, demonstrating the viability of our program. More importantly, we aim to create a sustainable pipeline of talent, perhaps even establishing a basketball academy in Senegal in the future.
Moderator: What a powerful vision! Ciré, thank you so much for sharing your story and insights. What a commendable mission you’re undertaking. To our readers, what are your thoughts on Ciré’s initiative? Do you believe this project can make a real difference in the lives of these young players, and in the world of basketball? share your opinions in the comments below!
