DRC: and here is the leopard Masano, official mascot of the Games of La Francophonie 2023
The leopard Masano is the official mascot of the Francophone Games 2023, scheduled in Kinshasa from July 26 to August 6.
It was presented on March 9.
© Pascal Mulegwa/RFI
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
The 9th Francophonie Games, scheduled for July 26 to August 6 in Kinshasa, are fast approaching.
The authorities of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) presented, Thursday, March 9, the official mascot of these Games which will bring together the best French-speaking athletes, seven years after the previous edition.
This one was selected after a competition between artists.
The winner received his prize from the hands of the Prime Minister, Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde.
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With our correspondent in Kinshasa,
Pascal Mulegwa
It was on the work of student Chris Eale that the jury set its sights.
“
I am sure that the others have not been unworthy
”, confides the artist, before describing his work which was, according to the regulations, “
to represent at the same time the organizing country, the DRC, and also the
Games of La Francophonie.
".
Thus, "
the leopard already symbolizes the DRC, and by the colors purple and yellow, it symbolizes the Games of La Francophonie
".
And his name is Masano.
The Games require infrastructure that meets international standards with criteria that are not always easy to meet.
The Ivorian politician Robert Beugré, boss of the organization of the previous edition, explains:
“
The decision-making process simply needs to be as short as possible to avoid wasting time.
Next, we need to strengthen the customs clearance process to ensure that the material arrives on time.
Finally, on construction sites, companies must favor three teams at all times, day and night, to work.
It would be necessary that in all Kinshasa, one feels that the party is there and that the DRC is with the task to make a success of the 9th Games.
»
Where are the works at this stage?
Isidore Kwadja, director of the Kinshasa Games steering committee, said: “
We are working hard to catch up.
The challenges are enormous, but we will meet them.
We have regular contact with the contractors who assure us that all the material ordered is here on site.
We are able to meet the deadlines and organize these games here in Kinshasa.
»
More than 4,300 participants have registered for these Games, the biggest event of the year in the DRC.
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