The 2023 Francophonie Games have come to an end in the Democratic Republic of Congo, leaving behind a euphoric atmosphere and memorable memories. Despite the doubts and fears that surrounded the preparations for the event, the Congolese can rejoice to have succeeded in organizing a memorable edition of the Francophonie festival in their capital.
From the start, President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi was actively involved in the preparations for the Games, regularly visiting the accommodation sites, the infrastructures and meeting the athletes and the public. His presence brought valuable moral support to the event and testifies to the country’s commitment to La Francophonie.
Despite pessimistic predictions, the Games of La Francophonie were hailed as the most successful edition in the history of La Francophonie. Zeina Mina, Director of the International Committee of the Francophone Games, even described the success of the Games as a “Congolese miracle”. The performances of the athletes, the enthusiasm of the public and the quality of the infrastructures exceeded all expectations.
On the sporting level, Morocco stood out by winning many medals, while the Democratic Republic of Congo, despite modest forecasts, managed to rank among the top ten nations with the most medals in the event. Congolese victories are particularly notable in individual sports such as boxing, table tennis and wrestling.
This successful participation of Congolese athletes in the Francophonie Games underlines the importance of developing and supporting the country’s sporting talents. The modern infrastructure inherited from the event provides a valuable opportunity to train and prepare the next generation of Congolese champions. It is essential that the government develops a long-term program to modernize sports facilities across the country in order to reveal and support the many talents that lie dormant.
In conclusion, the Games of La Francophonie 2023 in the Democratic Republic of Congo were an unexpected success, exceeding all expectations and leaving a lasting legacy for Congolese sport. This event proved that nothing is impossible for the Congolese and paved the way for a promising future for the development of sport and talent in the DRC