In exactly 100 days, some 4,000 young artists and athletes from the 84 member States and governments of La Francophonie will come together in Abidjan to participate in the 8th Francophone Games that will take place from 21 to 30 July 2017 in Ivory Coast. This year's edition is focused on Solidarity, Diversity and Excellence. It is also meant to support the development of Ivory Coast and strengthen the national cohesion of the country.
Preparations are well underway: 54 Francophone nations have already confirmed their participation and the National Committee for the 8th Francophone Games-Abidjan (CNJF) is at work to guarantee the best hospitality to participant delegations. Sports, cultural and accommodation facilities will be delivered shortly. Just as the Secretary General of La Francophonie did in Abidjan, representatives of the participant delegations recently assessed progress in preparations, including the construction of village Akwaba which will host the 4,000 contestants.
This 8th edition will attract unprecedented media coverage from all over the world. Over 500 million TV viewers and 700 - including 300 international - journalists are expected to watch the Games and some 60 hours of high-definition free TV broadcast will be aired on Francophone channels. A media accreditation form is available online at www.jeux.francophonie.org for national and international media willing to cover the Francophone Games.
Selections to the following cultural and creative contests are now completed: hip-hop, giant puppets, freestyle ball, painting, sculpture-installation, singing, tales and storytellers, creative dance, literature (short story), photography, sustainable development creation and digital creation. Applications to the following sports competitions are also closed: football, basketball, table tennis, and road cycling. Qualifications are underway for freestyle wrestling, African wrestling, judo, athletics and disabled sports.
Updates on cultural selections, sports qualifications, TV schedule; TV broadcast and the latest news are available on www.jeux.francophonie.org
and on the social media : Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Google+, Instagram and Snapchat (cijfjeux).
The International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) has 56 member States and governments, as well as 28 observer members. www.jeux.francophonie.org
Contacts
Mahaman-Lawan Seriba, CIJF Director
mahaman-lawan.seriba@francophonie.org
Thomas Gil, head of the CIJF partnerships, marketing and communications
Thomas.gil@francophonie.org / telephone: (+33) 144 373 356
mediacijf@francophonie.org / media@francophonie.org