On July 28, 2023, the ninth Francophone Games will begin in Kinshasa. For 10 days, French-speaking countries from around the world will gather in the Congolese capital to participate, as usual, in sports and cultural competitions. Regarding the sports venues, the workers are hard at work so that everything is ready on D-Day.
With our correspondent in Kinshasa, Olga Masangu
Everything seems to be changing for the better one month before the start of the ninth Francophone Games. Éric Maloba, supervisor of the infrastructure commission: “ The bleachers are telescopic, which means that they are bleachers that, like a piece of furniture, you can pull out. There is a part above and another part below. Here, there are 1,500 places and all delegations are expected with open arms. »
Among the sites selected, that of the Martyrs stadium is almost ready. Here, the combined sports gymnasium with two play areas is nearing completion. The Martyrs stadium basketball court, now covered and air-conditioned, and whose capacity has increased from 500 to 800 seats, is also ready. For athletics, the Martyrs stadium track has also been completely renovated. Javelin throwing will take place on the natural grass of the land adjoining this same sports complex.
Delay to Tata Raphaël
On the other hand, the delay is recorded on the second site of these games, that of the Tata Raphael stadium. Here, the athletes’ village is not yet ready. “We are working day and night to be ready on time”, hammered the local organizing committee, which nevertheless underlines that the main option for housing the athletes remains the rehabilitated homes of the University of Kinshasa and its 3 000 places.
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