Nearly 270 guests will have the chance, this Thursday evening, to attend, in Paris, the gala dinner organized by “For Hope”, the association of which Idrissa Gueye, the Parisian midfielder, is the co-founder and which works in health, food, education, environment and social development. The teammates of the Senegalese, African champion 2022 should be present, Kylian Mbappé in the lead, for this evening for the benefit of children affected by HIV and cancer.
In particular, Mbappé and Messi jerseys, a ball from the CAN final, a pair of Sadio Mané’s cleats and Gims’ glasses will be auctioned. It will be possible to take part in the sale by registering on the Drouot website. For Le Parisien, Idrissa Gueye, 32, talks about his commitment and the necessarily special end of the season for PSG. In any case, his words are sincere and touching.
Why did you participate in the foundation of “For Hope” in April 2021?
IDRISSA GUEYE. Basically, we acted in the social field but more in anonymity. Between friends we said to ourselves: instead of acting alone, why not bring together more people to have much more impact in France, Senegal or anywhere in the world? It was created to help the most deprived people. We started very small and we try to grow. We have a lot of ambitions. We did a lot of activities in Senegal and in France. This gala will allow us to end this first year in style.
Have you always had this altruistic approach?
Yes, but before I was doing it a bit on my own. One day we landed with my wife and the future president (Macif Diouf). We talked about the actions we had already taken, whether during the Covid when students in France needed it or even before when there had been floods in Senegal. We said to ourselves: why not create an association in order to be able to help even more people? Today we are very proud of it.
What are you expecting from this gala evening on Thursday?
Especially to raise awareness about health. Because most of us think that children don’t have cancers or AIDS. So the goal is to tell people that children need us. If we all act together, we will not be able to stop this scourge, but to save many lives and help children get out of it. When we went to Senegal to visit centers, we really realized that something had to be done. That’s why we’re doing this evening: to bring other people with us and have more strength.
Are you a source of hope in Senegal?
Yes, but not necessarily only in Senegal. Because when we saw what was happening there, we inquired about the situation, and we saw that in all the countries in Africa it was almost the same problem. So we have to act. And why not act with all the people I know? Because on my own I could do something for a few children but not much more. That’s why we organized this evening. I know people will be sensitive because it affects children. It touches me a lot. I am a very family person and many are like me. And I know that many would like to help Africa but do not necessarily have the right relays to be able to do so. This will be an opportunity for them.
Did it touch you to have been supported by your club partners, like this recent trip where Presnel Kimpembe accompanied you?
Frankly I have nothing to say about it and I am very, very surprised! It was good to see Presnel travel with me to Senegal. He really showed his support for the association. And then in the club, many people answered present, relayed the information or made videos without even asking me. Same for the evening: when I sent the invitations and discussed it with some players, they all told me that they would be there and that they would support me. For me it’s already a successful evening, given the steps we’ve taken so far, it’s really incredible.
The presence of Mbappé, Messi, Neymar or Gims will give a global influence to your action…
It’s exactly that. They are personalities followed all over the world. And if they come to our party, they can pass on the message to other people via their social networks or why not by speaking during the party. This is frankly something that will give me a lot more visibility and that can help us a lot.
Do you think that the solidarity actions of top athletes should be more highlighted?
I’m sure there are a lot of players too who are socially invested but often do it alone. And for us, that’s the message we’re sending out: why not do it all together rather than each on his own? Many people want to help and maybe they take an association more seriously. They know it comes from me, that I’m not here to make money. On the contrary. We give a lot of our time and our pocket. But we love what we do and we all give without calculating.
What did this title of African champion with Senegal bring you?
People look at you differently and above all it makes us legends in Senegal because it’s something the country has been waiting for for years. I think everyone on the African continent was happy for us because we deserved it. This is perhaps what we needed to go from a small team to a big Senegalese team.
How are you living this end of the season marked by joy with Senegal and disappointment after the elimination in the Champions League against Madrid?
The disappointment of the Champions League is still present. We would have liked to go further in this competition. It is the dream of the club, that of all the players who are here. It’s still a good season for me with the qualification for the World Cup, the title of African champion and that of Ligue 1. We’re going to end it well with this gala evening which will make it a good season for me , although we could have hoped for better.
Do you hope that the last match at the Parc against Metz on May 21 will allow reconciliation with the supporters?
I really hope that we will ease the tensions. We all suffered from this elimination in the Champions League. We are just as disappointed as them, if not more. Unfortunately, that’s how it is, that’s sport. And we hope that we will end up with this reconciliation, with a great party to forget this season and prepare well for next season.
