Abidjan, The Agora de Koumassi socio-cultural sports complex, whose work started on December 07, 2018, was inaugurated on December 21, 2019, by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron. Built on an area of 2,750 m2, this sports center includes multifunctional grounds that can be converted into stages to host concerts or plays.
This socio-cultural sports space is a pleasant setting combining the practice of sport, culture but also social and entrepreneurial initiatives. “The agora allows the youth of koumassi to train in athletics, football, judo, taekwondo, basketball, boxing. It’s a multi-sector space,” rejoices Joachim Beugré, a student living in Koumassi.
Co-financed by France and Côte d’Ivoire, the project was part of the National Sports Plan (PNS) 2016/2020, aimed at encouraging the practice of physical and sports activities by 60% of the population. It also incorporates the construction program for 91 multifunctional pitches throughout the national territory.
For the Minister of Sports, Paulin Danho, the Agora brings added value to the development of the country. “Sport keeps young people healthy. It allows Ivorians to improve their health through the regular practice of sport. It contributes to the fight against juvenile delinquency, rural exodus and illegal immigration,” he said.
A local community space, the agora promotes social cohesion and economic development. This sports complex houses shops, a mini-market, maquis, etc. “In addition to the sports infrastructure, the socio-sporting agora of Koumassi brings together training opportunities and generates hundreds of jobs”, testifies Kouassi Ahou Bénédicte Désirée, economic operator in Bonoua.
