Benin has emerged as a candidate to host the 2027 edition of the Francophonie Games, according to the General Secretary of the local Commission of the French-language global organization. Paulin Dohon Agbetokpanhoum made the announcement late last week, revealing that country leader Patrice Talon has instructed the Commission to submit a bid. The deadline for submitting bids is set for September 30. As of now, only Armenia has publicly declared its intention to host the games, as reported by “24H Au Benin.”
Under the leadership of President Talon, Benin has made significant strides in enhancing its sports infrastructure, positioning itself as a potential host for major international sporting events. This bid for the Francophonie Games is an opportunity for the country to showcase its capabilities and further boost its sports profile on the global stage.
Currently, the IX Games of the Francophonie are set to take place in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), from July 28 to August 06 this year. The event will bring together the finest young artistic and sporting talents from the member countries of the organization. A total of 32 countries are expected to participate, with approximately 1,500 participants aged between 18 and 35 showcasing their skills and abilities.
The selection of Kinshasa as the host city for this year’s games was made during an extraordinary session in July 2019. This prestigious event highlights the importance of cultural and sporting exchange among Francophone nations, fostering camaraderie and mutual understanding.
The Francophonie Games have a rich history, with the inaugural edition taking place in Rabat and Casablanca, Morocco in 1989. Since then, various cities have had the honor of hosting this significant sporting event, including Paris, France (1994), Antananarivo, Madagascar (1997), Ottawa and Hull, Canada (2000), Niamey, Niger (2005), Beirut, Lebanon (2009), Nice, France (2013), and Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (2017).
As Benin aspires to become the next host of the Francophonie Games in 2027, the country aims to leverage this opportunity to bolster its international reputation, attract visitors, and demonstrate its commitment to fostering cultural exchange and sporting excellence within the Francophone community.
Image Credit: Miguel A Amutio on Unsplash
