2024 Women's African Handball Championship: DR Congo's gamble pays off

DR Congo pulled off a real masterstroke in staging the 26th edition of the Women's African Handball Championship, held in Kinshasa from 27 November to 7 December. Hosting the continental tournament for the first time in its history, DR Congo, through its handball federation, satisfied all the participants.

Read also: 2024 Women's African Handball Championship: Angola retain their title

Praise from the CAHB

Twelve countries took part in the tournament, won by Angola for the 16th time in their history and the 5th time in a row. No delegation complained throughout the competition, hence the satisfaction of the president of the African Handball Confederation, Aremou Mansourou. "I am delighted because, for a first attempt, DR Congo have pulled off a masterstroke. We have called on all the African countries to witness the political will that exists in DR Congo, and I thank the head of state, Félix Tshisekedi, who has a great vision and has just shown that in DR Congo big things are achievable. All the delegations who came here are leaving satisfied, all the arrangements made for the delegations left a strong impression, and we hope to come back to DR Congo for other competitions ", he said.

Logistics praised by the delegations

Logistics were one of the strong points of this Women's African Handball Championship. There was a welcome for the delegations at the airport, accommodation in 5-star hotels, decent transport, security during matches and well-coordinated protocol.

All the players and members of the various delegations will keep fond memories of their stay in Kinshasa, such as Soumaya Belhadj, Tunisia's top scorer with 35 goals. "The organisation was excellent, everything was done well. Well done to DR Congo ", she said.

"The organisation by DR Congo was impeccable, apart from the traffic jams there is nothing to say, very good accommodation, the welcome was magnificent, it was a very good Championship ", Angola coach Carlos Viver told Sport News Africa.

Regular presence of government members and other officials

The Congolese authorities showed the importance they attached to the tournament by attending at the Stade des Martyrs sports hall. Although he was out of the country for the opening ceremony, President Félix Tshisekedi attended the quarter-final against Egypt alongside Prime Minister Judith Suminwa. Sports Minister Didier Budimbu was present at several matches. MPs and senators were also regularly in attendance.

A sense of success for FEHAND

For the DR Congo Handball Federation, the organisation's success has brought a feeling of pride. Its president, Amos Mbayo, said so after the tournament. "The African Confederation congratulated the Federation, and we are proud to have staged a fine event. No complaints were recorded. After visiting all the delegations staying in 5-star hotels, they all expressed the wish to return to DR Congo. We are proud of that ", he said.

A crowd that turned out

The crowds also played a part in the success of this Women's African Handball Championship, turning out from start to finish. A surge in attendance was expected after the great excitement on social media, and it delivered.

Not a single day passed without the hall filling up. Even after DR Congo's quarter-final elimination by Egypt, fans kept coming right up to the final, where the arena was full again. "You are a hospitable people, it's impressive", said Egypt's Ehsan Eid Abdelmalek. "Honestly, it was magnificent, there were lots of people. Everything was perfect. We met lots of people, honestly it was incredible ", said Algeria's Mazouz Siwa.