LONACI awards CFA48m to strengthen sports clubs across Côte d’Ivoire
LONACI’s support for grassroots and women’s sport strengthens talent development and opens new opportunities for young athletes.
Côte d’Ivoire.- The National Lottery of Côte d’Ivoire (LONACI) has awarded CFA48m (€73,000) in grants to twelve local sports clubs, enhancing football, handball and athletics programs nationwide. This initiative underscores LONACI’s ongoing commitment to supporting young athletes and community sports development.
The grants were presented during a ceremony at LONACI’s headquarters in Abidjan on October 1. The 12 clubs include ten football teams, one handball club and one athletics club. Women’s sports received special support: Habitat Handball Club d’Abobo, Victory FC and the women’s section of Athletic Club Antilope each received CFA4m (€6,083), totalling CFA12m (€18,250). The remaining CFA36m (€54,750) was divided among nine regional football clubs, with each receiving CFA4m (€6,083).
Representing LONACI’s CEO, Marketing and Customer Experience Director Check Oumar Diarra highlighted the vital role grassroots clubs play in shaping the future of sport in the country. “What would our national teams be without this in-depth work, often carried out in difficult conditions?” he said, according to Abidjan.net.
Boosting grassroots and women’s programs
Diarra acknowledged that the grant serves as a significant encouragement for continued effort. “If your clubs are successful, our sport will be too, and our athletes will be able to bring us laurels on the international stage,” he said.
LONACI’s support also reflects a growing focus on women’s programs. “This development stems from our vision of a civic-minded LONACI, fully committed to the development of sport in all its forms,” Diarra added.
Blaise Kouakou, President of the Yamoussoukro Sports Clubs Association, welcomed the grant. “Receiving this financial support is a mark of confidence, an encouragement to persevere and offer a better future to our young people. This gesture reminds us that we are not alone in our efforts,” he said.
Kouakou added that the grant will allow clubs to compete with more confidence and provide young athletes with improved conditions to develop and succeed. The move demonstrates LONACI’s long-term commitment to sports in Côte d’Ivoire, combining financial support with a vision for nurturing the next generation of athletes.
