“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

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.

Series: Volume 1, Sport Matters

Subject: Anthropology (General) Sociology Development Studies Urban Studies

Area: Africa

BISAC: SOC002010 SOCIAL SCIENCE/Anthropology/Cultural & Social; SOC008010 SOCIAL SCIENCE/Ethnic Studies/African Studies; SOC026030 SOCIAL SCIENCE/Sociology/Urban