a retrospective18/12/2007: First it was the cadet lions that got eliminated from their nations cup as well as a dismal 2007 Junior Nations Cup. Then the year kicked off with the legendary Mount Cameroon race of hope in Buea that brought athletes from abroad. Janvarious Bonkinyung won the men’s race second time consecutively and swore a 3rd this 2008.
In like manner cycling wrote Cameroon’s name in the world of sports thanks to the organisation of the international cycling tour in march 2007 that touched 7 of the 10 provinces as well as the Chantal Biya international grand prix cycling race held in September 2007 with foreign participation.
School games too were vibrant as primary, secondary as well as university games despite being plagued by numerous loop holes were held amidst all odds. Perhaps the most surprising of the performances came from the basket ball federation. Silver medal was theirs when a handpicked quality player from abroad went to Angola from the African basket championship dubbed “afro Basket”
In India, it was the football Military team that the Silver medal during the Military World cup after the African Military Nations Cup December 2006.
Football performed brilliantly as the senior indomitable lions grabbed their ticket to the 2008 African cup of nations. Also, months of waiting a new coach appointed to head the lions, German born Otto Pfister.
The Olympic lions were star in their domain. Winners of an 8 Nation tournament in South Africa, Champion of the 2007 All Africa games in Algeria in July and a qualification ticket for the presidency of the Confederation of African athletics in may 2007
The WBF saw Cameroonian born Issa Hamza keeping his title and belt in the Welter Weight bout against Francisco Sylva Diaz of Uruguay in December 2007 at the Yaoundé Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium.
So much awaiting the sports lions this 2008-africa nations cup Ghana 2008, China Olympic Games amongst others. Yet opportunities for Cameron sportsmen and Women to shine abroad, flying the country’s colours high.
School games too were vibrant as primary, secondary as well as university games despite being plagued by numerous loop holes were held amidst all odds. Perhaps the most surprising of the performances came from the basket ball federation. Silver medal was theirs when a handpicked quality player from abroad went to Angola from the African basket championship dubbed “afro Basket”
In India, it was the football Military team that the Silver medal during the Military World cup after the African Military Nations Cup December 2006.
Football performed brilliantly as the senior indomitable lions grabbed their ticket to the 2008 African cup of nations. Also, months of waiting a new coach appointed to head the lions, German born Otto Pfister.
The Olympic lions were star in their domain. Winners of an 8 Nation tournament in South Africa, Champion of the 2007 All Africa games in Algeria in July and a qualification ticket for the presidency of the Confederation of African athletics in may 2007
The WBF saw Cameroonian born Issa Hamza keeping his title and belt in the Welter Weight bout against Francisco Sylva Diaz of Uruguay in December 2007 at the Yaoundé Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium.
So much awaiting the sports lions this 2008-africa nations cup Ghana 2008, China Olympic Games amongst others. Yet opportunities for Cameron sportsmen and Women to shine abroad, flying the country’s colours high.
Tina Kwo.
