Ten days before the start of the IX Games of La Francophonie, delegations from several countries have already arrived in Kinshasa. These include Togo, Niger, Burkina-Faso, the Republic of Congo, Benin and Chad. The athletes were on Monday, July 17 at the Stade des martyrs for a first training session. But the accommodation conditions are not good according to the delegation of Burkinafaso .
“It’s a feeling of joy. Because we came to a brother country, the DRC. The Congolese welcomed us very well. Already at the airport there was really a good atmosphere, transport, … And we are trying to acclimatize and prepare ourselves in a good atmosphere, “said Zépherin Hounkenou, Beninese athletics coach.
However, there is a downside. The accommodation conditions are not good according to Seydou Yacnaba, Burkinabe coach:
“When we arrived, the welcome was warm and clean. We appreciated but when we arrived [where we are staying] we saw that it is not easy. First on the accommodation site there is no water to shower. You see that it is a bit difficult to make a trip, come there is no water to shower. It is very frustrating. Even getting relief is difficult.
In the meantime, the artists are continuing to prepare for the opening ceremony.
For his part, President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi chaired on Monday, July 17, a meeting on securing the XI Games of La Francophonie which will take place in Kinshasa. The President of the Republic has given instructions to prevent and avoid any incident during this event. Among the measures announced, there is the creation of a mixed army-police mobile patrol deployed throughout the city in order to fight against crime.
The IX Games of La Francophonie will be held in Kinshasa from July 28 to August 6, 2023.
