June 21, (THEWILL) – Authorities in Congo are racing against time to complete necessary preparations for the upcoming International Francophone Games, set to commence in the capital city of Kinshasa at the end of next month.
The organisers of the Jeux de la Francophonie, a 10-day event aimed at promoting the French language, have expressed growing apprehension as the start date of July 28 approaches. The Games, originally scheduled for 2021, were postponed for two years to ensure that the infrastructure meets international standards. However, according to Daniel Zielinski, the head of the Games’ French delegation, essential facilities such as the athletics track and judo area are still unfinished, indicating a significant amount of work remaining.
Over the weekend, the national committee responsible for organising the Games unveiled a 20-kilometre cycling route and reassured that they would address any road defects by early July. However, concerns persist among workers at the Tata Raphael football stadium, the venue for the men’s tournament, who expressed doubts about the completion of renovations by the deadline. Despite the progress made, unfinished administrative offices are yet to be finalised, according to President Isidore Kwandja.
In addition, security provisions for the event have also been a cause for concern, as highlighted by a diplomatic source in Kinshasa. To ensure the safety of the Games, Kwandja confirmed the employment of a private company to secure the events within the venue, with an additional deployment of 4,500 police personnel to handle security outside.
The Games will encompass a range of sports, including athletics, basketball, football, wrestling, and cycling, among others. More than 40 countries will participate, with around 3,000 athletes expected to take part. The previous edition of the International Francophone Games was held in Ivory Coast in 2017, making this year’s event highly anticipated despite the ongoing challenges surrounding preparations.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
