The Palais de la Renaissance, Bangui, was the venue, on 11 February 2020, for the National Ceremony in Tribute to the Cream of Central African Athletes. The event, which was holding for the first time since independence, was presided at by the Head of State, His Excellency Prof Faustin Archange Touadéra. The country thus honoured the outstanding athletes who have flown its flag in competitions outside its borders. On that occasion, officials of sports institutions, coaches and athletes were handed honorary distinctions directly by the President of the Republic. In the same vein, The President of NOC CAR, Gilles Gilbert Gresenguet, was raised to the Dignity of Grand Cross in the CAR National Order of Merit. Very pleased, he said that faced with the instability that the CAR is experiencing, the varied sport resources may be an undeniable asset in the search for suitable solutions. “Sport has the power to change the world as Nelson Mandela asserted. It is also the crucible of national unity,” he insisted.
The event also featured three addresses presented by the NOC President, Gilles Gilbert Gresenguet, ANOCA President, Mustapha Berraf, and the Head of State, His Excellency Professor Faustin Archange Touadera.