The IX Games of La Francophonie, which will take place from July 28 to August 6, 2023 in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), are generating both enthusiasm and concern. As preparations are in full swing, Ivorian President Alassane Dramane Ouattara received an invitation from his Congolese counterpart Felix Tshisekedi to attend the opening ceremony of the event.
However, despite the optimism displayed by Kinshasa, some French-speaking countries have expressed concerns about security, health and logistics. Quebec, a French-speaking region of Canada, has announced its withdrawal from this edition due to security and health reasons. New Brunswick, another French-speaking region of Canada, will send a small delegation to Kinshasa. In addition, the Wallonia-Brussels Federation of Belgium has declared that it will not participate in sports competitions.
Despite these withdrawals, Kinshasa remains confident and does everything possible to ensure the success of the Games of La Francophonie. This edition marks a unique opportunity for the DRC to showcase its artistic and sporting talents, and to strengthen ties with other French-speaking countries.
The Games of La Francophonie, after being awarded to the DRC during the 108th session of the Permanent Council of La Francophonie in 2019, have been postponed several times due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, less than three weeks from the event, Kinshasa is preparing to welcome the best young French-speaking talents in a unique blend of sport, culture and diversity.
The Games of La Francophonie are not only an opportunity to celebrate the French language and cultural diversity, but also to promote cooperation and exchange between French-speaking countries. It is a platform for young talents to show their skills in different fields such as music, dance, theater, visual arts, sports and many more.
As a citizen of La Francophonie, these Games are an opportunity to discover new talents, to create links and to promote the values of La Francophonie throughout the world. They are a symbol of the importance of the French language and cultural diversity in an increasingly interconnected world.
As final preparations are underway, excitement is building in Kinshasa and in French-speaking countries around the world. The IX Games of La Francophonie promise to be an unforgettable celebration of culture, sport and the Francophonie