Today, in Nice, the 7th Francophone Games begin, which is the largest artistic and sporting event in the Francophone world. The City of Nice will host this new edition, and all competitions will be completely free for spectators eager to participate in this grand celebration of culture and sport.
Less than 15 days now, and the kickoff of 10 days of festivities will be given with the opening ceremony, which will take place on Saturday, September 7, in the setting of Place Masséna, which is being revamped for the occasion. An opening ceremony that promises to be spectacular in one of the city’s most beautiful venues.
It is on this Friday, September 6, that the Games will officially begin with the start of the men’s football tournaments (Stade Méarelli and Complexe de la Plaine) and women’s basketball (Salle Leyrit and Salle Brancolar). On the agenda for this first day: Canada/Poland, Congo DR/Tunisia, Ivory Coast/Cameroon, France/Luxembourg, and Romania/Senegal on the Nice courts, while in the men’s U20 football tournament, we will see the matches: Cameroon/Morocco, Burkina Faso/Chad, Congo Brazzaville/Rwanda, and France/Canada. It will be Saturday, September 7, that will mark the opening of artistic competitions with the openings of exhibitions of paintings, sculptures, and photographs, which will be located within the Palais Acropolis, the nerve center of these Games.
Despite a somewhat sluggish start in the organization, it seems that everything is now working much better within the organizing committee, taken over by Bernard Maccario, who was not new to this field, having been responsible for the organizing committee of Nice’s bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics. Admittedly, at the time, the city of Nice only came second on the podium in the French selection, but the quality of the file and more political choices did not allow it to reach the international level and, no doubt, worry the Korean winners of Pyeongchang. In short, that’s ancient history.
The new story, however, will be written from September 6 to 15 in a city of Nice that will welcome 57 countries and more than 3,500 participants for 10 days of competitions, which will be completely free for the people of Nice as well as tourists still numerous in the capital of the Côte d’Azur. Be careful, though, because even if the various events are free, you will still need a ticket to access some of them. For this, simply reserve your pass at the Francophone Games online ticket office: Click here to book your place!
As for the volunteers, smiles are back on their faces because, thanks to the support of the Nice and Riviera associations and sports world, the 1,200 necessary volunteers have been found, and in recent days, training meetings have already started at the Saint Jean d’Angely University Center and in the Houses of Associations of the city of Nice. Reception, media, delegation management… Many are the positions that will be occupied by the people of Nice, who will be the true workhorses of the event.
Just a few more days to wait, then, to kick off this great event that, over 10 days, will make Nice, beyond the Côte d’Azur, the world capital of La Francophonie.
It’s off… Make your Moves!
