Today, the former Minister of Sports and Leisure, Serge Nkonde Chembo, clarified his position following the accusations against him in the case of the alleged dispossession of the Martyrs de la Pentecôte stadium. The controversy surrounding this case has shaken political and sports circles, fueling heated debates both on social networks and in traditional media.
According to Serge Nkonde Chembo, this is in no way a dispossession, but rather a rental, a common practice aimed at maintaining sports infrastructure. He insists on the fact that similar mechanisms were put in place by his predecessors, citing the Tata Raphaël stadium as an example. He also emphasizes that the rental contract for the Martyrs stadium is clear, with private tenants such as a TOTAL station and a GG Mart supermarket, and that this in no way affects the stadium’s approval by CAF and FIFA.
However, this explanation did not convince the current Minister of Sports and Leisure, Didier Budimbu, who decided to terminate the contract with the purchaser and suspend construction work on a hotel and a gas station, fearing that these facilities would compromise the approval of the Stade des Martyrs.
The situation is therefore complex, with major political and sporting issues at stake. It is essential that the competent authorities find an appropriate solution to preserve the integrity and reputation of the Stade des Martyrs, a symbol of sport in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In conclusion, this case highlights the challenges that the sports sector can face, between infrastructure management, compliance with international standards and transparency in transactions. It is essential that decision-makers act responsibly and ethically to ensure the healthy development of sport in the country.