Malingie the cyclist: gone unnoticed!

By Abdul Kabia

Malingie was known for his heroic bicycle skills, especially during international matches at the National Stadium

A hero is not only someone who fought wars and won. A hero can be any person who has made a laudable impact in his area of specialization.

remarkable

If that is the case, the late popular cyclist, Sorie Conteh- commonly called Malingie- is a hero because he made a remarkable mark in the art of cycling during his time.

Late Sorie Conteh (1933-2008) earned the name Malingie because of his ability to toy with bicycles. His performances setting the stage for international matches at the National Stadium are unforgettable.

back in the days

When I was just a small boy my colleagues and I used to go to the Approved School football playing ground in the east to watch Malingie perform. He would ask one of us to stand in front of him. He would ride off in terrific speed, hands off the handles; and he would grab us along the way and lift us shoulder-high. If you were not bold enough you would tend to run. I always dipped my head and face in an attempt to discourage him from grabbing me.

fair

But Malingie was very much fair when selecting one of us to toy with. If he chose me today, the next time he would chose another.

scared

It happened one day that he chose me. I was instantly frightened but my friend, who had had the experience, encouraged me.

never again

I stood along the way, and Malingie rode in high speed and lifted me shoulder-high. It was quite an experience but I resolved later not to ever venture near where he was performing.

incredible

Malingie can do incredible things with a bicycle. He once said he could even bath on top of a bicycle. People say he used magic but I don’t believe. It is just that the man knew cycling was an art and he practiced effectively. Each time he tried to break new grounds with his techniques, which always seemed to defy the force of gravity.

borbor beat bra

The last time I saw Malingie performed was at the National Stadium during a friendly between Leone Stars and a foreign team. He went along with his son, a boy named Alpha Conteh. The young Alpha surprisingly received wide applause when he performed a trick that his father tried to do but could not. So the occasion was described by those who witnessed the scene as borbor beat bra. It was indeed a wonderful spectacle.

magic

And those who used to say that Malingie employed magic in his performances said he has transferred his magic to his son.

passed away

Malingie was expected to perform at the National Stadium in the recent match between Leone Stars and Super Eagles but he passed away five days earlier on the 2^nd of June 2008 and was buried on the 12 of June.

He is survived by his wife Salamatu and six children including Mary, Augustine, Alpha and Monday.

chorister

In his life time Malingie was a fervent Christian. He was an active chorister in the Pentecostal Church at Wellington. Samuel Conteh, a senior member of the church said Malingie was among the few who contributed immensely to the development of the Pentecostal church.

“He is a figure worth to emulate… may his soul rest in perfect peace.”

hero

Malingie is a hero, but I consider him an unsung hero because he was not given the recognition a hero deserves. I stand to be corrected; only members of the National Cyclists Union (NCU) and National Pentecostal church came to the aid of his wife and children.

However, Malingie’s family should realize that he was a hero without a gun or a sword.

Here is a Flash Back on the last story we did for the late Malinge:

Cyclist calls for help!

By Muctaru Wurie

Kalleone newspaper, Tuesday September 5, 2006

The well known cyclist who usually entertains the crowd at the National Stadium with his fascinating displays and styles, on Sunday expressed his frustration to Kalleone Entertainment & Sports of neglect by the authorities.

 Sorie Conteh, aka Malingie, said it was apparent his services were not appreciated by the authorities.

“I have been entertaining crowds at the National Stadium for more than 20 years now, but I have never received a penny,” said Conteh. “They sometimes even refuse to let me into the stadium.”

Conteh said despite his cycling skills, he has been completely ignored by the nation’s cycling authorities. The president of the cycling association, Mr. Crowther, he said, has ignored him and failed to give him any audience.

Conteh argued that cyclists that have been taken overseas on competitions didn’t even have the ability he has.

“I can do 25 styles on top of a bicycle,” he said. “I can even bath on top of a bicycle.”

Conteh used to do it alone but on Sunday his son, Alpha Conteh, was also on display alongside him. Together they eased fans’ long wait to the kick-off.

Conteh called on the authorities for assistance and to help promote him and his son’s cycling talent.

Those who wish to offer help, he said, must contact him at 38 City Road, Wellington.