In an interview with L'Observateur, the Senegalese Karate Federation responded to the accusations made by Mor Thiam Seye, a former member of the Do Rama Karaté Club and now a coach at the Planoise Karaté Academy in Besançon. The latter had denounced his exclusion, along with that of athlete Maïmouna Niang, from the Federation's plans.

Through the voice of Fodé Ndao, director of the national teams, the governing body states that it does not want to cause controversy, but rather to provide clarifications out of a "duty to tell the truth."

"Mor Thiam Seye is not excluded, but he must prove himself"

Mor Thiam Seye, who recently coached the Burkina Faso national team during the last African Championships in Abuja (July 25-27, 2025), explained that he had to turn to another country after being, according to him, ignored by his federation.

The shepherd's response to the shepherdess: "Mor Thiam Seye is our brother, he's doing good work. But he has to prove himself if he wants to return to the den. It's true that he was vice-champion of Africa, but he had stopped karate for a long time. He was in Italy, then in Besançon. Just because you come back doesn't mean you're automatically integrated."

The source from the daily newspaper of the Future Media Group also emphasizes that the Federation has many skills within the diaspora:

"There are coaches like Moundor Sène, El Hadji Guèye Ndour, Ablaye Diop, Magatte Seck, and Gabriel Sylla, all of whom are graduates, champions, and active internationally, but who claim nothing. They continue to help their country in the shadows."

The Maïmouna Niang case: a deliberate non-selection

Mor Thiam Seye also denounced the absence of Maïmouna Niang, bronze medalist at the Karate 1 Youth League in Guadalajara and reigning African champion in the U21 -55 kg category, from the last national selection.

On this point, Fodé Ndao clarifies: "We have selection criteria. Maïmouna has never won in the senior category. She came third. And then, karate is a school of discipline. When you express yourself inappropriately on social media, you have to take responsibility."

He added that the president of the federation promised to examine his case, while recalling:

"She was not excluded, but simply not selected. This is not a special case. She is treated like all other athletes."

The Federation insists that the choices are purely sporting: "The team performed well in Abuja, and we have no regrets about our choices. An athlete who is not selected must get back to work, not complain."

“Let’s respect the work of coaches”

Finally, Fodé Ndao calls for respect for the current coaches: "All our coaches are qualified and have proven themselves. Ibrahima Konaté, for example, is an African champion and holds the 3rd degree, the highest state diploma in Senegal. He deserves respect."

Ndao concluded: "If he [Seye] chooses to coach another national team, that's his right. But he doesn't have to denigrate the work of those who are there. The national team remains open to him if he really wants to help. Senegalese karate is his family."