ICSSPE Joins SportsAfrica Online Book Discussion

ICSSPE’s Sport Science Research Manager, Pascal Camara, took part as a discussant in SportsAfrica online book discussion on Friday, 24 April. The event focused on “Une si longue course: Sport, genre et citoyenneté au Ghana et en Côte d’Ivoire (années 1900–1970)” authored by Claire Nicolas, Ambizione Research Fellow at the University of Basel, Switzerland.

 

The session moderated by Chepchirchir Tirop of Boston University, USA, brought together scholars and practitioners for an engaging exploration of the historical intersections of sport, gender, and citizenship in West Africa.

 

Following a brief introduction, Claire Nicolas presented an overview of the book, which examines sporting practices evolved in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire from the early 20th century through the postcolonial period. The discussion then followed exchange between Nicolas and Camara, highlighting key themes such as the “natural experiment” of two countries with shared regional and cultural characteristics but differing colonial and postcolonial trajectories. Their conversation also addressed how these differences shaped sporting landscapes, the role of gender in sport and society, and the innovative research methods that underpinned the work.

 

This event provided valuable insights into the socio-political dimensions of sport in West Africa and contributed to broader conversations on history, equity, and development in sport.