The IX Games of La Francophonie ended successfully on August 6, 2023 at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Chaired by the Head of State, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi, the closing ceremony was marked by the parade of the various participating delegations.
In his closing speech, President Tshisekedi stressed the importance of this historic event for the Congolese people. He said that these games have helped to strengthen the DRC’s belonging to La Francophonie and to promote its cultural diversity throughout the world. The President also pledged to boost sport, culture and education using the newly built infrastructure for the games.
The Minister of Sports, Claude-François Kabulo Mwana Kabulo, hailed the success of the organization of the Francophonie games and underlined that the Congolese youth had lived up to expectations. He also noted the enthusiasm of the people of Kinshasa for this large-scale sporting and cultural event.
Before the closing ceremony, the Stade des Martyrs and the Palais du Peuple were invaded by Congolese wishing to physically attend the event. However, for security reasons, the National Committee of the Games of La Francophonie has recommended that the public follow the ceremony and the closing concert on national television.
The DRC won a total of 34 medals during these Francophonie games, including 5 gold, 11 silver and 18 bronze, thus ranking 9th. This sporting success testifies to the potential and talents of Congolese athletes.
In conclusion, the IX Games of La Francophonie were a real success for the Democratic Republic of Congo, both in terms of organization and sports performance. This event will be remembered as a historic moment, having consolidated the DRC’s membership in La Francophonie and opening up new perspectives for sport, culture and education in the country