France confirms support for 9th edition of Francophonie Games in DR Congo

Kinshasa, DR Congo (PANA)  -  France Friday confirmed its support for the organisation of the 9th edition of the Francophonie Games scheduled for 23 July to 1 August 2021 in Kinshasa.

The French ambassador in DR Congo, François Pujolas, disclosed this here at the end of talks with Pépin Guillaume Manjolo, the minister of international cooperation, regional integration and Francophonie.

"We discussed the issue with the minister seeing that he is the key actor within the government as far as the Francophonie games are concerned and seeing DRC’s will to strengthen and maintain its position within the big francophone family once its bid was selected to host the games," he said.

Pujolas said the discussions focused on technical assistance in the logistic and cultural areas to ensure the success of those games.

Before the diplomats accredited in Democratic Republic of Congo during the wish sharing ceremony held on Thursday, president

Felix Tshisekedi had reaffirmed the will of his country to honour its commitments to host the event.

“My government has taken the measure of the event and will make all needed arrangements for the success of that great feast,” he had said.

The Congolese government established a High Council for the organization of the Francophonie games in DRC.

That council is composed of the ministries of sports and leisure, youths, media, culture, scientific research, as well as the Kinshasa city hall under the leadership of the ministry of International cooperation and Francophonie.

Created in 1989, the Francophonie games are a multi-sports competition (men and female version) and cultural competitions in individual and team disciplines.

They are organized every four years for the 88 Francophonie member-states and governments.

The last edition was held in the Ivorian capital, Abidjan. DR Congo won three medals including one gold and two bronze.

-0-    PANA    KON/IS/MSA/RA    31Jan2020