The games of La Francophonie Kinshasa 2023: a real success despite the logistical challenges
The 9th Games of La Francophonie, which recently took place in Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, were a true “Congolese miracle”, according to the director of the International Committee of the event, Zeina Mina. Despite successive postponements, last-minute adjustments and logistical concerns, the organization of these games was crowned with success.
During an interview granted to the Congolese Press Agency (ACP), Zeina Mina underlined that the Games of La Francophonie in Kinshasa were a source of inspiration for new initiatives, particularly in the field of urban sports. These games have indeed contributed to strengthening the socio-educational mission of the event in the French-speaking world.
The outcome of the games is positive, with satisfactory participation despite the difficulties encountered. A total of 3,533 participants, including 1,810 athletes and artists, took part in the competitions. Thirty-seven countries were represented. Zeina Mina mentioned that Francophonie records have been broken in athletics, thanks to the quality of the infrastructure made available, in particular the completely renovated athletics track.
Despite the withdrawals of some delegations due to uncertainties regarding the delivery of infrastructure, Zeina Mina stressed that all efforts have been made by the host country to meet deadlines. She called it a “Congolese miracle” and pointed out that the adage that “impossible is not Congolese” has come true.
The Games of La Francophonie should not only be seen as competitions, but also as a social project. They enable the training of human resources, referees, judges, and contribute to the development of infrastructures and the implementation of development strategies. Zeina Mina also announced that the next edition of the games will put more emphasis on urban sports and offer the possibility to the host country to choose disciplines in accordance with its development strategy.
The Games of La Francophonie Kinshasa 2023 will therefore be remembered as a major event, demonstrating the country’s ability to overcome obstacles and provide an unforgettable experience for participants and the public