DR CONGO: More than 5,500 youth take part in Salesian Games
Salesians celebrating 50th anniversary of event
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
(MissionNewswire) The City of Youth Salesian Center, in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo*, opened the 50th anniversary of the Salesian Games. This year’s event was held under the theme “Young People, in Brotherhood and Hope, We Celebrate Half a Century of the Salesian Games.” The event brings together thousands of youth each year from Salesian institutions, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, diocesan parishes and private schools.
More than 5,500 athletes are participating across 264 teams and 26 clubs, competing in soccer, basketball, volleyball, and handball. The event also features dance teams, cheerleading and acrobatic competitions, boxing matches, karate tournaments, and even fashion clubs, reflecting the cultural diversity and richness of the occasion. There are 127 schools represented.
Bishop Gaston Ruvezi, from the Diocese of Sakania-Kipushi, presided over the Catholic Mass marking the official opening of the games. The opening ceremony was attended by numerous religious and political authorities.
With competitions scheduled every weekend until May 1, culminating in the grand finals of the tournaments, this special edition of the games promises to be unforgettable. The Salesian Games, which integrate sports, culture, and educational values, remain a unique Salesian tradition dedicated to the holistic development of young people.
The event organizers said, “The Salesian Games are truly a wonderful space where the spirit of play and fraternity reign supreme. If the games continue to thrive after 50 years, it is because the spirit of Don Bosco still lives within them, guiding and inspiring young people.”
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Sources:
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Salesian Missions – Democratic Republic of the Congo
*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.
