A Finale Crowned with New Champions
The final whistles blew in Brazzaville’s Michel-d’Ornano gymnasium on December 22, 2025, capping an eleven-day celebration of Congolese handball that traveled from Pointe-Noire to Ouesso before culminating in the capital. Grain de Sel claimed the women’s trophy, while BMC dethroned CFJSO in the men’s bracket.
Grain de Sel broke through DGSP’s defensive wall in the women’s final, winning 23-16 thanks to nine goals from left back Mélanie Okemba and a series of reflex saves by goalkeeper Judith Nkouka that stifled DGSP’s fast counterattacks.
In the men’s competition, BMC relied on a fast transition game to overturn CFJSO 27-20. Center back Arnaud Mabiala orchestrated the attack with seven assists, while veteran pivot Rostand Kodia punished defensive mistakes in the six-meter zone, a performance that earned him the tournament MVP plaque.
A Festival of Unity Across Regions
Organized under the banner “Handball Friendship,” the National Cohesion and Fraternity Tournament brought together 43 senior teams from Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, Dolisie, Nkayi, Madingou, Loutétété, and visitors from Kinshasa and Lubumbashi, showcasing a rare moment of sporting integration across the Congo River.
Matches alternated between the Michel-d’Ornano and Maxime Matsima gymnasiums, drawing packed stands and regular television audiences, according to figures provided by the organizers. The enthusiasm was palpable; drums and vuvuzelas echoed in the stands, while young volunteers managed ticketing and health measures with precision.
Players and Referees Rewarded
Beyond medals, every team left with a financial package. The national teams each received one million CFA francs, while the contingents from Kinshasa left with two million and the illustrious Tout-Puissant Mazembé pocketed three million—a gesture that strengthened cross-border camaraderie and helped cover travel costs.
The officiating crew did not leave empty-handed. Referees, top scorers, and standout goalkeepers were presented with 32-inch plasma screens donated by handball expert Chérubin Nkodia, along with custom-printed balls meant to encourage training sessions once the festive lights dim after December.
Fair-play trophies went to Pigeon-Vert of Loutétété, Sangha-Sport of Ouesso, and Tout-Puissant Mazembé, each leaving Brazzaville with five extra balls. The tournament spokesperson stated that this honor “highlights our belief that competition must never overshadow respect.”
Economic and Social Ripple Effects
According to the coordinator, logistics were supported by partnerships with the Ministry of Sports, the Congolese Handball Federation, and private sponsors. She praised the steady support that allowed them to “dream bigger.”
Hoteliers in the Plateau and Poto-Poto neighborhoods reported occupancy rates above 80% during the competition week, a welcome boost during the tourist low season. Street vendors near the gyms sold out their stocks of grilled fish and fresh bissap, illustrating the sport’s ripple effect on the micro-economy.
“We felt like ambassadors,” said JSK Kinshasa captain Patrick Bongi, whose team finished third. “The welcome in Brazzaville was warm, and the prizes cover our bus ride back.” His comments were echoed by ASIC Flora defender Mabiala, who praised the tournament’s “impeccable” refereeing.
Corporate sponsorship remains modest compared to football. However, the event attracted new partners, including a Pointe-Noire logistics company that provided transport and a Brazzaville fintech startup that handled cashless ticket payments, signaling potential for diversified sports funding within the government’s emerging creative economy agenda.
On rest days, national coaches held clinics for local physical education teachers, sharing exercises on mobility and shooting accuracy—an initiative the federation hopes to see integrated into school curricula across all twelve departments.
The tournament was broadcast via a new mobile app, allowing diaspora viewers in Paris and Dubai to follow matches live. According to the developers, peak traffic reached 9,000 simultaneous connections during the men’s final.
Roadmap for a Handball Renaissance
Congolese handball enjoyed continental success in the 1980s. The initiative dubbed “The Awakening of Congolese Handball” seeks to restore that golden age by multiplying competitive events and reviving grassroots academies in districts like Mayombe and Komono.
The coordinator confirmed the next edition will be held in Pointe-Noire in February 2026, with preliminary discussions underway to involve teams from Cameroon and Gabon. She insists the rotating model “allows each region to take ownership of the handball renaissance we are building.”
As the gym lights dimmed and fans spilled into Brazzaville’s warm night, chants of “Long live handball” persisted. Grain de Sel and BMC lifted more than trophies; they embodied the collective belief that Congolese handball can thrive again, fueled by solidarity, discipline, and visionary organization.