Wrestling enjoys massive popularity in Senegal, with fans passionately supporting their favorite grapplers. Now, the same technology that has sparked debates in football worldwide is making its mark in the Senegalese wrestling scene.
In a December event at the National Arena in Pikine, just outside Dakar, 15,000 enthusiastic fans cheered on bare-chested wrestlers to the rhythmic beat of drums and encouraging voices from loudspeakers.
While the audience fixated on the intense wrestling action, Sitor Ndour, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) judge, remained focused on a TV monitor inside a small blue tent near the ring. This marked a significant development for wrestling enthusiasts, who had long called for the introduction of VAR into their sport. The wish materialized in 2023.
Equipped with three cameras capturing the action from different angles, Ndour can review the footage on two screens. Although the technology is not as advanced as that in European football matches, the VAR official can intervene if a decision is disputed, calling over the main umpire and presenting the recordings for review.
Maissa Ndiaye, the vice-president of the Senegalese wrestling association (CNG), expressed relief for referees in a sport where the prize money in Senegal reaches several tens of millions of CFA francs, equivalent to tens of thousands of dollars.
As the president of the referees’ committee, Ndour explained, “Sometimes we had a disputed verdict, which caused confusion and (as a result) people broke chairs and destroyed public property because they weren’t happy with the result that had been given.”
“In this kind of situation, if we can review the footage and declare a winner, but also if the public can see the images, that makes our task easier and allows the spectators to go home with more peace of mind.”
Reluctant acceptance of VAR
In the high-profile December fight, VAR was frequently called into action. In a preliminary bout broadcast live on TV, two heavily muscled fighters sought victory through strategic moves. One move led both fighters to land on the filled sacks that marked the ring, and both claimed victory.
VAR was summoned, with the chief judge using the same hand gesture as football referees. The judge approached the VAR screen, reviewed the recording, and returned to the ring, lifting the arm of one wrestler to declare him the winner.
The defeated opponent vocally contested the decision, pushing toward the VAR tent before being restrained by security, who eventually escorted him away. Ndour noted that such scenes were common, as some wrestlers accepted VAR’s introduction, while others struggled to fully grasp the system and demanded to see the video footage themselves.
