The Games of La Francophonie 2023 in Kinshasa: A memorable celebration of Francophone diversity
The Games of La Francophonie, which took place in Kinshasa from July 28 to August 6, 2023, marked the history of La Francophonie with their resounding success. In a Martyrs stadium crowded with enthusiastic spectators, athletes from French-speaking countries around the world offered exceptional performances in a spirit of competition and camaraderie.
The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Antoine Tshisekedi, played an essential role in the success of these Games by providing financial, logistical and moral support for the organization of the event. Its constant presence on the various sites, its proximity to the athletes and the public have reinforced the commitment of the Congolese population to the success of this celebration of French-speaking youth.
The preparations for these Games have encountered doubts and uncertainties, but the Congolese have silenced the skeptics by offering a spectacular edition. Zeina Mina, the director of the International Committee of the Francophone Games (CIJF), even described this event as a “Congolese miracle”. The modern infrastructures, such as stadiums, sports halls and athletics tracks, which were built for the Games, have been a valuable legacy for the development of sport in the DRC.
The participation of the DRC in the Games of La Francophonie was also crowned with success on the sporting level. Despite the pessimistic predictions, the Congolese athletes shone and climbed into the top 10 of the most medal-winning nations of the event. Individual sports such as boxing, table tennis and wrestling have been particularly prolific in medals for the DRC.
This edition of the Francophonie Games also highlighted the cultural richness of the DRC. Musical performances, art exhibitions and theatrical performances allowed Congolese artists to share their talent with the French-speaking public.
Beyond the success of the Games of La Francophonie, this event has opened up new perspectives for the DRC. Modern sports infrastructure should be used to develop Congolese sports talents in all disciplines. Particular attention should be paid to the training of young athletes and the organization of national competitions to promote their development.
In conclusion, the Games of La Francophonie 2023 in Kinshasa will be remembered as a memorable celebration of Francophone diversity. The DRC has proven its ability to organize a large-scale event and has demonstrated its full commitment to La Francophonie. Hopefully this momentum will continue and contribute to the development of sport and culture in the DRC, as well as strengthening ties between French-speaking countries around the world