SportsAfricaLive #14 (Book discussion)
Thursday, October 30, @ 5pm GMT (DakarTime)
1:00pm EST – 12:00pm CST – 10:00am PST – 7:00pm CET, 8:00pm Nairobi 6:00 pm Lagos – 7:00 pm Jo’burg
Zoom registration
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_x66Wcoh1T7COfAwutEuBBA
The author
Mark Hann
Mark Hann is an anthropologist and researcher whose work explores masculinity, sport, and social transformation in West Africa. Alongside his academic research, he has held various roles in international peacebuilding organisations.
Discussant
James Esson
Moderator
Mari Engh
In Dakar, thousands of young men train daily on beaches, football pitches and sandy courtyards in pursuit of athletic success. Aspiring football players seek contracts in the lucrative leagues of the Global North, while hopeful wrestlers aim to captivate massive crowds as members of Senegal’s beloved national sport. Despite their differences – (European) football’s global appeal versus wrestling’s traditional roots – both sports demand immense effort and come with high social costs. Wrestling with Hope in Urban Senegal follows the journeys of these precarious athletes as they confront the realities of their aspirations, grappling with themes of masculinity, belief systems, and economic survival whilst navigating the complexities of a neoliberal landscape.
“It was a joy to read. It offers an original and nuanced analysis of the interplay between global and local sport industries and their impact on the lives of young men in a neoliberal Global South context.” •
James Esson, Queen Mary University
Purchase the book from the publisher’s website
Discount codes Valid until 14th November 2025
SAVE 35% on the Hardback Edition with code HANN35
SAVE 25% on the Hardback Edition with code HANN25