A glimpse on the charm of “Saly”
Like a magical setting from comic books, or a sublime panorama of travel documentaries, Saly presents herself high and dignified.
Located almost 80 km from the center of Dakar, the Petite Côte (small coast) of Thiès region offers a picturesque landscape, a clever blend of tradition and modernity. This is where the 2021 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations, Senegal 2021 will be held from 23 to 29 May 2021.
Every ten minutes, a horse cart takes the road, transporting construction material, wood, food and all kinds of objects.
Cars are numerous and at the cutting edge of technology in Saly. However, the tradition of the cart, which dates back to the time of independence, remains one of the most enduring in this Senegalese city. It is said that over half a century ago, carters and their vehicles were primarily responsible for transporting people, moving from village to village.
Saly, above all, is about the beach lined with palm trees! Many kilometers of white sand and azure water which gives its reflection to the sky. Fishing boats, sailboats and other types of craft are visible from the shore.
The beach attracts tourists and despite the pandemic, it is gradually coming back to life.
Souvenir sellers are aligned near the beaches of Saly. One of them, Bass, enjoys telling the story of Senegal, especially that of his ancestors who communicated through wooden figurines.
He is happy to know that the competition will be held three hundred meters from his stand. More than the love of Beach Soccer, Bass knows that the tourists will be more during these few days, and maybe that is the reason for his enthusiasm.
For fans of African sculptures, wooden statues, fabrics with African motifs, and paintings of African decor, the "Craft Village" of Saly located three kilometers from the Beach Soccer stadium is ideal. Residents also recommend visiting the craft market of Mbour, 10 km away from Saly.
Saly is full of small hut-shaped villas with thatched roofs to mark the African identity of the place. Moreover, the most prestigious hotels are built on this same model.
Saly is also characterized by purple, mustard, and orange flowers. Gardeners have good days there and all these colors give the city a certain charm.
In the days to come, this idyllic landscape will be the setting for the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations.
The arrival of delegations continues. There will certainly be a competition, but for the most part it is the beach party in the sun that is about to begin.
Mamadou Moustapha Ndao, the governor of Thiès, announced it during the conference marking the start of the festivities: “Saly la belle (the beauty) is ready to receive her guests.”
(c) CAFOnline.com Images