Goal Oriented
From Senegal to Madison and the 4,700 miles between
Matt Daniels
Issue date: 10/7/09 Section: Sports
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The two young men traveled to Madison from the two most populous cities in Senegal. Sarr is from Touba and Kone is from the capital city, Dakar. Touba is home to over 475,000 people and Dakar's population is just over 2.1 million people. Senegal's capital is located just 100 miles west of Touba. Geographically, the two were not far apart. However, it was not until soccer season started in Madison this year that the Senegalese natives crossed paths. In both scenarios, the soccer player's parents moved to the U.S. first, while the boys stayed in Senegal with relatives.
Sarr's parents first moved to New York, but felt that their son would get a better education in Madison, so they ventured to the Midwest. Sarr spent four years at Madison East High School before coming to MATC and joining the soccer team.
Kone had attended school in Senegal upon his arrival to MATC. In addition to playing soccer at MATC and getting a quality education, he hopes to get into nursing for his future. Sarr on the other hand, is looking in a different direction, as he plans to become an accountant.
The Senegalese natives met on the soccer field a little over three months ago. As the season progressed, they became more than teammates, they became friends. Besides the love for the game of soccer, they share a common goal. They both want to get an education and get good jobs in hopes of moving back to Senegal someday.
"It is a peaceful country," recalls Sarr. The country may be peaceful, but it also is something else. It is a country that is dominated by a passion for soccer. Both young men have been playing soccer since they can remember. It is something that almost all children partake in at a young age in Senegal.
Soccer in Senegal is tougher than what Sarr and Kone have experienced in the U.S. They recall that in Senegal players do not substitute in-and-out. Players are expected to play the entire game. Soccer is much more physical in Senegal as well. The referees allow a more physical style of play and the players take full advantage of it. "It is very, very physical," said Kone of playing soccer in Senegal. Having two players being familiar with the high-level of play that Sarr and Kone have experienced in Senegal is something the WolfPack must take advantage of this season.
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