Guinea: discovering Savate Boxe Française

The sport of savate demands good physical condition, strength and precision. Some practise it to stay fit, but it can also be practised as a competitive sport. Savate stands apart from other combat disciplines through the use of special shoes. Savate shoes have rigid soles that allow fighters to kick harder and more accurately, while also protecting their feet.

That is the case in Guinea, where the discipline is attracting more and more practitioners. The president of the Guinean savate boxe federation talked about the steps that led to the federation being set up in the country. "I started practising this sport in 2008. At the time, there was a French soldier serving at the French embassy who introduced us to this sport, me and a few friends," he begins. And he goes on. "Back then I was already doing boxing. After he left, I wanted to keep the flame alive. Even if it wasn't easy." "With that in mind, in 2011 I founded 'la savate guinéenne', the first club in Guinea. That was the starting point of this story," the federation president said.

After more than a decade out of the spotlight, thanks to courage and selflessness, many savate clubs have sprung up in Conakry. At the end of 2022, the federation received official approval from the sports ministry. It was a relief for the body's president. "As we couldn't be recognised as a federation at the time, I set up clubs in the districts of the capital. Then in November 2022, we received our approval from the sports ministry. And from there, everything took off," said a delighted Mamadi Kaba.

Since the clubs were created, many young people have joined the project. In a country where combat sports most often bring home medals, plenty of young people are taking up the discipline in Guinea. " At present we have around a hundred practitioners, both in Conakry and in towns elsewhere in the country. I have students in some of the towns outside the capital," the official said. 

Schools to train the champions of the future

A former African savate runner-up in the -60 kg category and winner of the French ambassador's cup in Dakar (Senegal) in 2018, Mamadi Kaba, who is keen to train the champions of the future, has taken the helm of the Guinean savate boxe federation. A man steeped in the sport, he aims to tour schools to popularise the discipline. " In May, there are schools that I have targeted to popularise the discipline. At present, even though we have no championship, we organise small competitions to foster competitiveness among the athletes," Mamadi Kaba explained.

By his own admission, the federation president is on the lookout for every opportunity to make the discipline known and share his experience. "Whenever the opportunity arises, we give lessons. Currently, as part of popularising the discipline, I teach classes in some schools in the capital. It is a way of carrying out the sports minister's policy of making grassroots sport a priority. The aim is to give Guinea great champions," he said.

The former savate boxe champion wants to train the discipline's future champions in Guinea. " Athletes from other disciplines such as boxing bring back medals from the competitions they take part in. Seeing the potential of our athletes, I believe there is hope that they can one day reach the top." " We are committed to that goal so that we have top-level athletes," said Mamady Kaba.

Having practised the discipline for a few years, Moussa Bangoura dreams of winning medals at international competitions. "I developed a taste for this sport a few years ago. I find it one of the most complete disciplines," the boxer said at the outset. He continues: "Like any athlete, I aim to win medals both in Guinea and on the international stage."

 

Mamadou Gongorè DIALLO