Algeria: Struggle in the Sand of the Sahara
USA Wrestling ambassadors encountered an ancient wrestling civilization in the Sahara Desert. Ambassadors Dan Russell and Kiki Kelley visited the Tindouf Province in Algeria, North Africa from November 3rd-8th, 2018. Wrestling is a rich part of the Sahrawi Bedouin tribe’s story for thousands of years. These rugged people inherited a beautiful history, deeply rooted in the sport. Unfortunately, as a result of growing up as refugees, they have almost lost this important part of their culture. The purpose of the trip was to deepen the relationship between two very diverse cultures through the shared experience of wrestling.
Wrestling for Peace Ambassadors, Russell and Kelley, met with the Minister of Sport to build strategies to keep this important part of the Sahrawi culture alive. Kiki Kelley said, “Wrestling is the world’s first sport and the Sahrawi people were part of that over 5,000 years ago. We’re here to help rekindle that wrestling spirit in them and help meet humanitarian needs.”
Wrestling in the desert has many challenges. There’s a struggle for life’s daily necessities that is always present and radical groups often look for recruits among the desperate. Wrestling provides context to both of these obstacles. It challenges mind, body and spirit to overcome hardship and produces humility through a deeper understanding of the human struggle.
There are many things the global wrestling family can learn through relationships built in the desert. The Sahrawi are learning to overcome the wrestling match of life. As a wrestling family we are asking how we can come alongside and help. Dan Russell, said, “This is what makes the USA Wrestling for Peace program so important. We have access to the most difficult places all over the world and they love wrestling. We can build bridges to people that can’t be reached through traditional organizations.”
