A Socio-Historical Analysis of the Senegalese Basketball Federation

This study focuses on a socio-historical analysis of a voluntary association model: the Senegalese Basketball Federation (FSSB). The strategic model of Crozier and Friedberg (1977) was chosen to analyze the functioning of the targeted federation from 1960 to 2000. A restricted phenomenological method was used, and the strategies were developed based on a content analysis of 40 interviews conducted with leaders who held positions on successive FSBB executive committees. Several ideal-types of strategies were identified; each corresponds to different categories of actors as well as to the six different executive committees that successively led the FSBB from 1960 to 2000. Generally speaking, both offensive and defensive strategies are employed by elected and non-elected leaders, as well as a technocratic strategy by seconded leaders. For example, presidents most often adopt an offensive strategy aimed at creating an atmosphere of internal peace and having a free hand externally.