Handball: Hosting the 2024 African Handball Championship is a priority for DR Congo
DR Congo is preparing to host the 26th Women's African Handball Championship, an event the country now treats as a priority.
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There is now no doubt about the 2024 Women's Senior African Handball Championship being staged in DR Congo. Scheduled for 27 November to 7 December, the competition will definitely take place in the Congolese capital.
At its latest Council of Ministers, the Congolese government listed the staging of this 26th Women's Senior African Handball Championship among its priorities. Prime Minister Judith Suminwa has instructed the Sports Minister to follow the matter very closely. It will be the first senior African Championship DR Congo has hosted, across all sports.
CNJF expertise sought
To make the tournament a success, the DR Congo Handball Federation will draw on the expertise of the National Committee of the IXth Francophonie Games, held in Kinshasa in 2023. Congolese Handball Federation president Amos Mbayo met the CNJF director to ask for its support in organising the 2024 Women's Senior African Handball Championship. "For us Congolese, the IXth Francophonie Games remain a benchmark for staging major events. We wanted to use that local expertise to make a success of this first African Championship that DR Congo will host, across all sports", said Amos Mbayo.
For his part, the CNJF director welcomed the Federation's approach, especially with a view to hosting a football Africa Cup of Nations one day. "I thank the president of the DR Congo Handball Federation for reaching out. We are fortunate to have a head of state who cares about sport and wants to host a football Africa Cup of Nations in DR Congo. Hosting this handball tournament is a chance for our country to show the world that it is capable of staging the football tournament. That is why we must make sure we organise it well, " said Isidore Kwandja.
An organising committee for the tournament was set up a few months ago. It is led by the DR Congo Handball Federation vice-president, Adonis Ngambani. The competition will be held in the two sports halls at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa. All that remains is to adapt them for handball, notably by laying a suitable floor.