United States sends a delegation to AFCON 2023

By: News Peddlers

AFCON

The United States has announced that it will send a delegation to attend the African Cup of Nations, which begins this weekend in Côte d'Ivoire.

The delegation of "Sports Envoys and U.S. Officials," as announced by the State Department on Thursday, will attend the continent's largest sporting event.

The envoy was organised by the President's Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the United States (PAC-ADE), in collaboration with the Global Engagement Centre (GEC) and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).

Two-time WNBA All-Star and ESPN host Chinenye Ogwumike, four-time Olympic gold medalist Lisa Leslie, U.S. Women's National Soccer Team star Crystal Dunn, GEC's Principal Deputy Coordinator Daniel Kimmage, and PAC-ADE Executive Director Deniece Laurent-Mantey are among the delegation members.

The team will use "the strength of the African diaspora" to "showcase U.S. investments in Côte d'Ivoire and strengthen cultural and economic ties between African communities, the global African diaspora, and the United States," according to the statement.

During their stay in Abidjan, the delegation intends to meet with government officials, international partners, civil society members, and Ivoirian youth. Using the unifying power of sports, the team hopes to strengthen ties between Americans and Africans, fostering mutual understanding and cooperation.

As the 24 teams compete for the trophy, the United States expressed its best wishes, recognising the tournament's importance in promoting African unity and cooperation.