The Gambia's sporting community Thursday mourned a popular young wrestler who drowned in the Mediterranean attempting to reach Italy, following the recent death of a top women's footballer in similar circumstances. Ali Mbengu, 22, died last Friday when his boat capsized, his coach Pateh Nying told AFP, as the country's wrestling federation begged young people to think twice before making the perilous crossing.
Wrestling is hugely popular in the Gambia and in neighbouring Senegal, where bouts steeped in traditional rituals are watched by hundreds of spectators. Coach Nying recounted how the wrestler, also known as "Mille Franc" (Thousand Franc), had left for Libya in 2014. Many migrants get stuck in the unstable north African nation, working to pay off debts before finally setting sail. "His plan was to cross to Italy by boat," Nying said.
"One of the survivors called his brother and informed him about the incident. The caller told the brother that only 10 people survived when the boat capsized on the high seas." Mille Franc is said to have made his debut in early 2012, working under Coach Nying of Club Serrekunda Gome Saboppa, in the outskirts of the Gambia's capital, Banjul.
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