Twenty-ninth episode: Congolese Florida Badiashile, technical coordinator at the Olympic Committee of the Democratic Republic of Congo
FrancsJeux: What was your journey in the sports movement?
Florida Badiashile: I come from taekwondo, my discipline of heart and passion. I was a black belt at the age of 11. At a very young age, I launched into events by organizing the Christmas taekwondo tournament in DR Congo. In 2007, I was part of a small core of enthusiasts who joined the federation. I was the deputy general treasurer. Subsequently, I went abroad to complete my coaching training, first in South Korea, then in Montreal where I studied sports science. When I returned to the country in 2013, I offered my leaders a complete diagnosis of the situation of taekwondo in the DRC.
What is your role today?
I am both technical coordinator at the national Olympic committee and head national taekwondo coach. The first of these two missions constitutes a step towards the establishment of the National Technical Directorate of the NOC. It is currently in the creation phase, with two coaches. I will be in charge of individual disciplines, a colleague will take care of team sports.
What does the sporting Francophonie represent in your eyes?
A big sporting and cultural family. But also, even more, a place for exchanges, sharing and experiences. I had the chance to take advantage of this very recently by being invited to INSEP, in Paris, to participate in the first French-speaking coaching course organized at the initiative of the AFCNO (French-speaking Association of National Olympic Committees, editor's note). ). To move forward in my job as a trainer, I need to interact with those who came before me. The internship at INSEP was a fantastic opportunity for this.
What do you expect from the Rio 2016 Games?
An athlete from the Democratic Republic of Congo managed to qualify for the Rio Games in taekwondo in the under 49 kilo category. I will accompany him. Being alongside him at the Games, sharing his adventure, is the realization of a dream. And, at the same time, the first real milestone in my coaching journey.
In your opinion, can the values and practice of sport promote “living together”?
Without the slightest doubt. Sport remains a fundamental training tool for the individual, at all levels. It allows essential values to be transmitted. Sport built me as a human being. He helped me to understand the world, to know and respect others better.
