The IX Games of La Francophonie will be held in Kinshasa from July 28 to August 6, 2023. In the Congolese capital, excitement is gradually spreading among the public 48 hours before the start of the events.
For one week, Kinshasa will be the capital of the French-speaking world as it hosts the IX Games of La Francophonie (July 28 - August 6, 2023). The various delegations from countries that have confirmed their participation continue to arrive in the Congolese capital, where almost 3,000 athletes are expected.9 sporting disciplines have been selected for these Games: women's basketball, U20 soccer, athletics, judo, wrestling, road cycling, table tennis, handisport and Nzango.
Excitement for first international competition on home soil
The Games of La Francophonie are the first major international competition to be held in the DRC's history.In the streets of Kinshasa, excitement is gradually building among the public 48 hours before the opening ceremony, scheduled for Friday July 28. The excitement can be felt in the vicinity of the sites where the various events will take place. At the Martyrs stadium, for example, a large, attractive sign welcoming the public to the Games has been placed at the stadium's main entrance on Avenue des Huileries, a much-used route to downtown Kinshasa. The poster attracts the attention of passers-by, who learn about the organization of the Games of La Francophonie in the Congolese capital, especially those living in communes a little way from downtown Kinshasa, like George, a resident of the commune of Maluku, 77 km from Kinshasa.
"I've been hearing about the Games for some time, but now I can feel the excitement rising as I see the various infrastructures being built.I'm very happy that these Games are being held here. I hope it will be well organized, because since I was born, this is the first time the DRC has organized an event of this scale," he declared.
Motorized caravans are also organized in several parts of the city, notably at the University of Kinshasa, where the Games village is located. Romain, a student in the Faculty of Economics, is delighted to see the athletes from different countries being accommodated on their campus."We see the Games buses driving around our campus every day, and it's great to see all the athletes here. We're really excited and can't wait for the Games to start.Despite the busy course schedule, we'll make an effort to attend the various events."
The contribution of social networks
On the ground, mobilization is in full swing, with messages to the public from political, cultural and sporting figures. On social networks, pessimism is gradually disappearing, giving way to excitement. Every photo published on the new sports infrastructures built for these Games of La Francophonie arouses admiration and a feeling of patriotism in the heads of Internet users."It's really beautiful what we've built in such a short time.It proves that all our leaders needed was the will to provide us with these infrastructures. A country as big as the DRC couldn't do without sports facilities. I'd like to thank the Games for providing us with this infrastructure.Good luck to the Leopards," commented Richard on a posting about the two gymnasiums built in the Martyrs stadium for the occasion.
Free access for the opening ceremony
To ensure the success of the mobilization, the National Organizing Committee has indicated that admission will be free for the opening ceremony scheduled for Friday July 28 at the Martyrs Stadium.
Isidore Kwandja, director of the CNJF, has also indicated that admission will be charged for the competitions, with prices varying according to discipline.One thing is certain: the public in Kinshasa in particular, and the Congolese in general, are now concerned by these IXth Games of La Francophonie, which will certainly sell the image of the city of Kinshasa internationally.
