The IX Games of La Francophonie, which will take place in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo from July 28 to August 6, 2023, raise many questions about the mobility of athletes. The Congolese authorities took charge of this crucial issue in order to ensure smooth and efficient travel for the participants.
According to Isidore Kwanja, director of the National Commission for the IX Games of La Francophonie, a fleet of 100 buses has been made available to the athletes. These buses, of different capacities (56 and 38 seats), will transport the athletes from the village of La Francophonie to the various Games sites.
In addition, dedicated lanes will be specially designed to facilitate traffic during the games. These lanes will only be accessible to buses and vehicles carrying three or four people. Thus, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., for example, only the circulation of athletes will be authorized on these dedicated lanes, thus allowing rapid and efficient travel.
To ensure that these dedicated lanes are respected, police officers will be present on the roads to prevent other users from using them. This measure will make it possible to limit traffic jams and ensure the punctuality of athletes in their travels between the University of Kinshasa and the Stade des Martyrs, the main site of the games.
The IX Games of La Francophonie in Kinshasa mark an important stage for the city which hosts this prestigious event. After Rabat, Casablanca, Paris, Antananarivo, Ottawa, Hull, Niamey, Beirut, Nice and Abidjan, Kinshasa will have the opportunity to highlight young French-speaking artistic and sports talents.
The previous edition of the Francophonie Games, held in Côte d’Ivoire in 2017, brought together nearly 3,500 participants from 53 countries. The games combine sporting events and cultural competitions, thus offering a platform for exchange and promotion of the talents of French-speaking youth aged 18 to 35.
These Games of La Francophonie were awarded to the Democratic Republic of Congo during the 108th session of the Permanent Council of La Francophonie in July 2019. Initially scheduled for 2021, they were postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The measures put in place by the Congolese authorities in terms of mobility testify to their desire to ensure the smooth running of the games and to guarantee optimal conditions for the athletes. Thanks to these initiatives, the participants will be able to concentrate on their performances and offer an exceptional spectacle during these IX Games of La Francophonie