Handball fever grips Bouenza capital
The dusty forecourt of Madingou’s covered court has never looked busier. whistles, vuvuzelas and bright club colours flooded the venue on Friday as Prefect Marcel Nganongo launched the first senior handball tournament branded “I Love Bouenza for Real”, drawing 450 athletes and hundreds of curious families.
From 8 to 20 September, twenty-three teams from Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, Pool and the host department will jostle for a trophy that symbolises renewed regional pride and, officials hope, a sustainable pipeline of young talent ready for national service.
Beyond sport: a presidential call
The event echoes the eighth pillar of President Denis Sassou Nguesso’s social project, which calls on local authorities to revive sports facilities and harness youth energy. Prefect Nganongo told reporters that revitalising handball is “a practical answer to the Head of State’s appeal for vibrant, united communities”.
Local teachers say the timing is perfect: secondary schools reopen on 2 October, and many pupils are using the tournament as pre-season preparation. Physical-education coach Laurette Massamba smiles that “seeing girls play side by side with boys proves equal opportunity is no longer just a slogan in Bouenza”.
Early scores set the tone
The opening whistle already delivered surprises. In the women’s draw, Banco Sport sprinted past Sainte Barbe de Mindouli 50-26, while the Direction Générale de la Sécurité Présidentielle club, favourites on paper, crushed Pigeon Vert 67-17 to the delight of soldiers on weekend leave.
Among the men, traditional rivalry lifted the decibels when Tsongolaise edged Tout-Puissant de Loutété 31-25, sparking chants that carried well beyond the fenced compound. Grain de Sel, less fancied, shocked HC Kali 29-26, prompting coaches to warn that no side can be taken lightly this year.
Logistics, prices and fan tips
Entry to the covered court remains free for schoolchildren in uniform and CFA 500 for adults, a fee that helps cover sanitation and lighting. Snack sellers outside offer grilled plantain at CFA 200 and bottled water at CFA 300, making the tournament one of the most affordable family outings this month.
For travelers from Brazzaville, the CNTS coach leaves the capital at 06:00, reaches Madingou by noon and returns at 18:30. A round-trip ticket costs around CFA 8,000. The prefecture advises fans to bring hats and hand sanitiser, as midday temperatures hover near 32 °C.
Voices from the bench
Coach Théophile Kouassi of Inter Club, fresh from a 34-28 win over AVR, believes the compact sport hall can intimidate visiting players. “It is hot, the crowd is on top of you, and the drums never stop. Whoever adapts fastest will lift the cup,” he said.
DGSP captain Mireille Ondongo argues that the tournament’s name matters as much as the scores. “Saying ‘I love Bouenza’ out loud reminds us to keep streets, classrooms and campuses clean,” she explained, pointing to recycling bins installed around the arena in partnership with a local youth collective.
Security and health first
Gendarmes patrol the entrance with handheld scanners, and organisers insist that every spectator washes hands before entering. No major incidents were reported during the first weekend, according to the Regional Health Directorate, which stationed two ambulances on site in case of dehydration or twisted ankles.
Masks are no longer compulsory, but a stand run by medical students offers them at CFA 100 for fans who want extra protection. The same booth checks blood pressure free of charge, turning the tournament concourse into an improvised public-health classroom.
What’s at stake next week
Quarter-final berths will be locked by Wednesday evening. Fixture lists pinned near the ticket gate show Inter Club facing Tsongolaise in a matchup many describe as a preview of the final, while DGSP women must avoid complacency against Banco Sport, whose fast breaks troubled every defence so far.
The Departmental Sports Commission confirmed that scouts from the Congolese Handball Federation will attend the semi-finals with tablets to record promising players. Selected athletes could be invited to a national training camp in December, opening doors to the 2024 African Club Championship qualifiers.
Economic ripple effects
Hoteliers report occupancy up by twenty percent compared with the same week last year. Street-corner moto-taxi riders earn an average CFA 6,000 daily, twice their normal takings, according to the local union. For vendors like Papa Blaise, “handball is better than payday; everybody eats”.
The prefecture expects overall spending around the venue to reach CFA 60 million by finals day, a welcome boost ahead of the festive season. Small entrepreneurs who rent jerseys, drums and folding chairs say they have already recouped their investment after just three matchdays.
Looking ahead
Prefect Nganongo hints that next year’s edition could add beach handball in nearby Loudima to showcase the region’s riverfront. Talks are also under way with mobile-network operators to stream key games on smartphones, a move that would widen audiences and entice additional sponsors.
For now, the message painted above the players’ tunnel captures the mood: “Bouenza united by sport”. As dusk settles over Madingou and drums echo across the palm trees, the handball court has become more than a playground; it is a rehearsal for the department’s shared future.
