The Francophone Games were rescheduled to next July because of COVID-19 ©CIJF

International Francophone Games Committee (CIJF) director Zeina Mina has insisted that there is now no margin for any further postponement of the 2023 Francophone Games, which are scheduled to be held in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.

"The pandemic has caused a lot of delay but there is no more postponement possible," Mina insisted.

Forty-two countries are set to participate in Games that were originally awarded to the Canadian cities of Moncton and Dieppe in New Brunswick, but these were reassigned to Kinshasa before COVID-19 forced a further postponement to 2023.

"With the postponement, there are many overlapping calendars, in particular, the Universiade which is organised on the same dates as the Games of La Francophonie," Mina admitted.

"This may affect our Games a little, but we hope for a massive participation like in Abidjan in 2017."

Some 30 Jeux Francophone experts are monitoring the preparations for the Games in Kinshasa.

Francophone Games Committee director Zeina Mina, has admitted that rescheduling might have an effect on participation at the Games ©CIJF
Francophone Games Committee director Zeina Mina, has admitted that rescheduling might have an effect on participation at the Games ©CIJF

"The Games were awarded to the Democratic Republic of Congo on the basis of its high level infrastructure and in good condition," Mina added.

"There is a commitment from the President of the Congolese Republic and the Government to organise and carry out these Games."

Sixteen teams are expected to take part in the football and basketball tournaments and organisers expect to have a clearer idea on participation in the new year.

It is expected that the Games mascot will be announced in March.

It is also planned that a full social media campaign will be launched then to promote the Games.

"The sports infrastructure is causing a bit of a problem, but work is in progress," Mina admitted.

"We hope that everything will be ready three months before the Games."

The buildings to be used as an Athletes' Village at the university have already been constructed.

"The residence is ready to welcome the delegations, it remains to do the roadwork around the university which does not require major works but rather a follow-up," Mina said.

The Tata Raphaël Stadium in Kinshasa is being renovated to host football during the 2023 Francophone Games ©Getty Images
The Tata Raphaël Stadium in Kinshasa is being renovated to host football during the 2023 Francophone Games ©Getty Images

Some 30 Jeux Francophone experts are monitoring the work including an architect.

Work is continuing on the modernisation of three basketball courts, and construction works are also taking place at halls to be used for judo and table tennis.

The athletics track at the Stade de Martyrs is also being repaired.

Work is also being carried out at the Tata Raphaël Stadium which famously hosted the world heavyweight title fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in 1974.

During the Games, the stadium is set to host football.

The Francophone Games were last held in 2017 when Abidjan was the host city ©Getty Images
The Francophone Games were last held in 2017 when Abidjan was the host city ©Getty Images

The Games are set to be the second successive Francophone Games celebrated on the African continent.

Abidjan in the Ivory Coast was the most recent host in 2017.

The bidding process for the 2027 and 2031 hosts has already begun.

"We have done everything over the past three years for a more flexible format, more transparent specifications for membership and a more transparent organisation on the part of the countries,” Mina claimed.