For a tournament of AFCON’s stature to be hosted in your country, you need the full blessing of Government.
The Government of Gabon fully embraced this 31st Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Right from building the required infrastructure, President Ali Bongo Ondimba, the number one citizen was involved.
It could be recalled during the laying of the first brick at the Port Gentil stadium two years ago, President Ondimba invited Barcelona and Argentine star player Lionel Messi and paid quite a good sum of money for the job.
The tournament has brought direct and indirect benefits to the country whose total population is less than 2,000,000 people.
To begin with, there constructed infrastructure at the StadeDe L’Amitie Sino Gabonais in the Angondje suburb of Libreville and Oyem will be used for generations years after AFCON 2017.
Each of the four host stadia has well maintained training facilities and excellent indoor facilities that give the players, VIP’s and other fans comfort.
The Gabon Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs at least has a vital starting point for the sports infrastructure left in place as a result of AFCON 2017.
Besides football, the stadia also have athletics, basketball, handball, volleyball and netball amenities.
Add to the developed infrastructure outside the stadia – roads, hotels, street lighting system, the tournament will be credited.
CAF Communications director, Junior Biyam concurs in affirmation that the AFCON 2017 has not left the same place.
There is a lot of development that has come up because of AFCON 2017 in Gabon.
The infrastructure itself alone, the local Gabonese residents have had a reason or two to smile because they have made business especially those who sell merchandise and offer services
A thorough glimpse on the development of the nearby areas in the vicinity of the stadia proves that Angondje and Oyem townships, previously forested areas have now attracted sound development.
There are now well planned housing estates in the Angondje township and all the state’s ministries have worked in unison.
From the ministry of internal affairs, transport, forestry economy, culture, youth affairs and sports, all have been a one block to ensure the tournament moves on successfully.
Estelle Ondo, the minister in charge of forestry economy was the chief guest when the country wide trade fair and Samba tour was launched.
Fan parks across Gabon especially along the spacious beaches like at the ‘Marche De Noel’, behind the national assembly in Libreville, beach club (opposite the presidential tribune), Hotel Mont De Crystal and Akanda huge screens were put for fans to view for free of charge.
Sale of arti-facts and merchandise:
There has been a boom of business for ‘A’ class, middle and the ordinary groups of people in Gabon.
Businesses have gone beyond normal sales for the hundreds of people who flew in from the different parts of the world to cover the event live.
Business in the transport (on-land, sea and air means), domestic shops, super markets, departmental stores and ordinary markets boomed throughout the three weeks of AFCON in Gabon.
Tourism:
The tournament has been a crucial platform for the exhibition of Gabonese diverse cultural norms and customs.
From the traditional languages, foods, music, dances to items as the raffia, head scarfs, sculpcultures, masks, woven baskets and local bangles, all has been on display.
At Franceville airport for instance, the Mvet group of people ushered in the guests with the traditional dance.
Many visitors will surely return to enjoy what they have seen in the past three weeks.
At Gabon 2017, we say Samba…