7 Incredible Things Sadio Mané Has Done To His Home Village Bambali In Senegal
Sadio Mané has made big efforts of giving back to the community through his charity works. Photo courtesy.
Sadio Mané is one of the world’s best footballer from Africa. The Senegalese forward is known for his electric pace and lethal finishing. The former Southampton, Liverpool and Bayern Munich star who plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr alongside Cristiano Ronaldo is people’s darling from his rural village of Bambali where he comes from for his charity work he has done to Bambali people.
In 2022, Mane inspired The Lions of Teranga to AFCON glory, when he scored the winning penalty in the Final of the 2022 African Cup of Nations against The Pharaohs led by Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah. Off the pitch, Mane has been busy establishing a lasting legacy, passing on his wealth to help his community. These are some of the things Mane has donated to help his village and people of Bambali.
1. Built a Stadium
In 2022 Sadio Mane was spotted playing football with friends on a muddy pitch in Bambali his home village. In 2022, the stadium was in a terrible state, and he took it upon himself to rebuild the stadium and expanded it to modern standards.
It was from here where Mané started his football career before running away at the age of 15 to follow his dreams. This year 2024, few days before the 2023 AFCON began, Mane returned to his home village and officially opened the stadium upon completion.
2. Built a hospital in his home village of Bambali
Sadio Mané’s father died when he was a child, and the lack of good health services in his home region of Bambali was a big problem in the footballer’s life. In an interview with The Guardian, Mane said, “I remember my sister was also born at home because there is no hospital in our village. It was a really, really sad situation for everyone. I wanted to build one to give people hope.” Mane initiated the building of a £530,000 (Ksh. 13.4 million) hospital to help people of Bambali to have access to good health services.
3. Donated £41,000 to the Senegal government when the Corona pandemic hit
At the start of the Coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, Sadio Mané’s did his usual charity donations when he gave £41,000 (Ksh. 8.4 million) to the national committee fighting Covid in Senegal. Through Mane’s agent he had done it “spontaneously when he saw the evolution of the situation”.
4. Built a new secondary school in his village
In the mid-year of 2019, While Mane was still playing for Liverpool, He made a £270,000 (Ksh. 7.3 million) donation to fund building of a school in Bambali. At a ceremony, Mane’s uncle read the speech from the player, which said: “Education is very important. This is what will enable you to have a good career.”
5. Gives laptops to students in his hometown
Mané not only donated money to build a school, but he has also helped students in his village participate in education. It is reported that Mane gives laptops and £320 (Ksh. 65000) as rewards to every best performing students in Bambali High school. He also gives free sportswear to kids in the village.
6. Gives €70 Monthly to each family
The Senegalese international gaves each family in Bambali €70 monthly stipends in his bid to help them improve their standard of living as well as providing free clothes to children.
7. Bambali now has access to the 4G network.
Through Mane’s partnership with the country’s Network service provider (Orange), the telecommunication company provides the 4G network to the people of Bambali village.
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Due to Sadio Mané efforts of giving back to the community through his charity works, he was recognized with the first ever Socrates Award. In October 2022, Mané received the inaugural Socrates Award. The award was introduced to recognize footballers taking on humanitarian work, was recognition for his off-pitch efforts. Mane also emerged second in the Ballon D’Or award after Karim Benzema who won the award.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Mané said of his charity work: “Sometimes I’m a bit shy talking about it, but I’m really happy to do what I can for our people and to make, maybe, things better.”
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