Africa Exclusivity Interview : Senegalese Sports Minister bangs his fist on the table!

At the end of a working visit of three days in Guinea, Africatopsports met with the current Senegalese sports minister, Mbagnik Ndiaye, who is also president of the Confederation of African fencing. In this interview, he talks about the measures taken in relation to the general organization of the match Senegal-Angola relocated to Conakry Saturday, March 23, 2013 as an account of the third day of the preliminary of the World Cup Soccer Brazil 2014 .

Africatopsports: You fasten a three-day visit to Guinea to see the progress of the preparations for your next encounter. What can we learn?

Mbagnik Ndiaye: We are at the end of a working visit of three days in Guinea. Our mission was to firstly meet the Guinean authorities including His Excellency Professor Alpha Condé, President of the Republic, who has done everything for the match Senegal-Angola that can be played in Conakry for the simple reason that the Stadium Leopold Sedar Senghor of Dakar is suspended by CAF for a period of one year following the unfortunate events of October 13 during the match Senegal-Ivory Coast. On the other hand, I also meet my Guinean sports counterpart, and the Guinean Football Federation to see the status of preparations for this meeting. I think we will insist on the preparations before talking about ceremonial and administrative aspects.

Indeed, on the state of preparations, when the choice was made to play in Guinea, a joint Ministry of Sports Federation and Senegal visited Guinea to see under what conditions to organize this match. Thus, a committee first met the Guinean Football Federation. After several sessions, it also met with the Guinean Ministry of Sports to see the arrangements in relation to the general organization of the meeting.

 

Africatopsports: At the end of your visit, what major decisions have you made?

Mbagnik Ndiaye: After this mission, important decisions were taken. The first is the choice, for example, the host, including the host hotel to the Angolan team because in this case, Senegal is the host. So, Senegal has chosen a hotel for Angola and another to their delegation. Then, five commissions prepared under the supervision of the Ambassador of Senegal in Guinea were formed. These commissions will integrate some members of Senegal, but all will be led by the Guinean side.

Outside of the preparatory commissions, other practical arrangements have been made to the infrastructure which is the stadium of 28 September in Conakry so that it can truly be in good reception practicable conditions on the game day. So it was decided, for example, to close the stadium for a number of times to allow the grass to regenerate.

We visited this structure. Ultimately, we found that it is in excellent condition of practicability. Then, changing rooms are being redone, both locker rooms for arbitrary and that of the Commissioners of the two teams. Practical steps are being taken to improve the existing level of the platform. And we also determined the capacity which is 16 thousand seats. In relation to safety, the Guinean government provides the Senegal 1500 security agents. So, it is a component on which the Guinean government has placed special emphasis to ensure the smooth running of the game.

We made a working session-synthesis where we went through all the issues around the organization of the match. The Director of the stadium outlined the preparations. The Guinean federation also discussed the progress of the work. We met the Senegalese community in our Embassy. It is being mobilized. During this meeting, we saw the fans of Syli national, who promised to press hard fans of the Senegalese community in Guinea. But I note a very special point in the meeting; we were pleasantly surprised to receive the Sports of the Minister, who made a lightning visit. All this confirms the commitment of the Government of Guinea to work for the success of the meeting.

 

Africatopsports: You have been received by the Head of State, Alpha Condé. What did you discuss?

Mbagnik Ndiaye: I had the honor of being received by Professor Alpha Conde with my counterpart, Minister of Sport of delegation which accompanied us. During this hearing, the Head of State, after we having welcomed as showed concern in the state of preparations. And at this level, we explained what we have done and what we are doing for the game to take place in good conditions. This is where he told us that as long as the suspension on the Leopold Sedar Senghor Stadium is not exercised we can arrange for all the matches of the Terranga Lions to be held in Guinea. This is to show a little degree of commitment to everything related to Senegal. It is also to show the long-standing relations between our two communities. I think it is a strong signal because we could relocate the game to be play elsewhere. But it is himself who has invested for this to take place in Guinea.

But it was a courtesy call and information on the state of preparations. So we came back to tell him exactly what is being done so that he could give instruction at his level if necessary in case of fixes or improvements. Then one of the great lines, it was to send a fraternal and friendly salvation of his counterpart, Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal, on behalf sincerely thank first the people and Government of Senegal for their personal commitment to accept this event in Conakry. I insist on it. At this level, it was our duty to thank him on behalf of all social components of Senegal but also inform him upon the practical steps that have been taken in this direction.

Then I had a meeting in the morning with my Guinean counterpart of sports to review a number of aspects related to the status of preparations for our next game. At this point, let me take this opportunity to thank because beyond that, they welcomed us but they welcomed us in a very good condition and have granted all the necessary means.

 

Africatopsorts: Two weeks before the game, what has been done and what has not been done?

Mbagnik Ndiaye: What has not been done, the two teams have not yet arrived. Then we do not sell tickets. Also, the grass has not been developed. But it will be done on Saturday and Sunday. By cons, it is done, ticket prices have been set. You have 10,000 Guinean francs for the step, for 20 miles and 100 miles covered grandstand for upholstered chairs. But these are reserved for the strong Senegalese delegation which is announced. The sale of tickets will be sold out. The choice of hotels for both teams was also made.

It was decided that thousand five hundred security officers will be deployed on the ground by the authorities. It was decided to provide the necessary means of transport for both teams. It is decided to set up five working committees that are already functional. It is decided four light vehicles for CAF officials. It is decided four ambulances. When I speak and I can assure you, we did not detect any major problems. The organization is related to last minute problems. In as much as the date approaches, some small problems not considered resurface.
Africatopsorts: the Senegalese Officials have recently wanted to relocate your game elsewhere. Does the choice of Conakry remain your last word?

Mbagnik Ndiaye: This is a question that does not make sense. My mere presence here justifies this confirmation. It is the Senegalese government that decided the place where the game will take place,not the federation. The match will take place indeed next Saturday, March 23 at 5:00 p.m. in Conakry, whether it shines, snows, or rains. I must say as such. I repeat, windy, snow, rain, the game will indeed March 23 to 17 hours September 28 Stadium in Conakry. Really, that debate, it should not be as close to the authorities in a quandary. Spread throughout the world, windy, snow, rain, on 23 March 2013 at 17 hours it is Senegal-Angola on the September 28 Stadium. These are instructions. Really! Stop these stories of Plan A or Plan B or Plan A. Ok?

 

Africatopsorts: The Head of State of Guinea, Alpha Condé, has expressed the wish to see Senegal playing its home matches in Conakry until the end of your sanctions. But what if Guinea and Senegal were playing at the same time?

Mbagnik Ndiaye: It is the wish of the President of the Republic, Professor Alpha Condé. Now as he desired us administrators, we see the feasibility of the proposal.

 

Africatopsorts: How do you intend to fill the 28 September stadium in Conakry?

Mbagnik Ndiaye: We had a meeting with the Senegalese community, which expressed strong support mobilized for the national team. Even the Senegalese interior are expected. Relying echoes that come to me, I think the stadium will be filled. It is our wish. But this will only be possible with your hand, you the media. You no longer talk of Plan A or Plan B. It is finished. We believe that the supporters of Syli national and all the Guineans sports mobilize as one man for a wonderful celebration. But this will only be possible with a filling of the stadium. We are calling the Guinean youngsters,to come and see Papiss Demba Cissé, Demba Sow, Demba Ba, Moussa Sow and many other great athletes who operate in the major European clubs. This is not because of the relocation of the match that we fear filling the game. Guineans will show up in number. Take regular promotional programs.

 

Africatopsorts: But can we expect to see Senegalese fans from Dakar?

Mbagnik Ndiaye: I think an agency in Senegal is doing a promotion towards Guinea. But I also think that true Senegalese fans are ready to come to Conakry. But they will not be as many as if it was in Senegal but know that there will be the twelfth Gaiendé. He will indeed be in Conakry. I promise!
Interview ABDOULAYE BAH for Africa Top Sports.com


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