L'Effort Camerounais (English Version): Milano Kumbo summer vacation sports jamboree wraps up

Athletes_start_on_the_starting_line By Wirndzerem Emmanuel Verdzeka
The curtains were pulled over the Milano Academy initiated summer vacation sports activities on August 23 at the Tobin Municipal Stadium. The North West Provincial Chief of Service for Sports, Lawrence Achu, who represented Cameroon's Minister for Sports and Physical Education on the occasion, presided at the ceremony.

The Kumbo summer vacation sports competition, baptised "Sports Without Drugs", gave young people a chance to develop their talents and establish healthy social relationships with their peers. The Milano Kumbo Sports Academy organised the competition which was in its second edition. The annual sports event brings together hundreds of youths who showcase their talents in a variety of sports disciplines like football, handball, basketball and table tennis. One of the major innovations this year was the introduction of the Bui International Marathon. It was a crowd puller as renowned athletes like Wirnkar Nadeche, Queen of the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope in the junior category and Janeirius Bongkiyung, two times winner of the same race, were among the athletes who participated in the marathon.

Speaking during the closing ceremony, one of the organisers, Gaspard Ngah, told the Kumbo population that the event has given Kumbo youths a forum through which they can exhibit their talents. Sports, he emphasized, has physical, personal and social benefits. Mr. Ngah therefore, appealed to parents to encourage their children to take part in sports competitions as, "In a nutshell, sports entail all elements of human life."

While thanking the organisers of the summer vacation sports jamboree, Mr. Achu pledged the support of the Ministry of Sports and physical Education. Alluding to recent performances of athletes from Milano Kumbo Sports Academy in national and international competitions, the minister's representative called on the athletes to redouble their efforts in order to make Kumbo in particular and Cameroon as a whole, proud. Mr. Achu, also congratulated the Milano team for selling Cameroon's image abroad during last April's Boston International Marathon. He exhorted them to emulate the example of Francois Mbango Etoné, who grabbed Cameroon's lone medal in the just ended Beijing Olympic Games.

Before handing over certificates to the athletes who took part in the Boston International Marathon, the executive president of Milano Kumbo Sports Academy, Justice Roland Mbechkum, told the population that athletes give the academy the unique opportunity to serve Cameroon. Justice Mbechkum, who expressed worry over the absence of these athletes from the just ended Beijing Olympic Games, promised that they will take part in the London Olympic Games in 2012. He also thanked the Minister of Sports and Physical Education for assisting the academy during the Boston Marathon and the Cameroon government for allocating 6.7 hectares for the construction of the academy's structures in the near future.

On the occasion, L'Effort Camerounais talked to Eric Mbacha and Nadeche Wirnkar, who regretted having failed to participate in the Beijing Olympic Games. Eric Mbacha finished in the 25th position during the Boston International Marathon. The event brought together 35,000 athletes from seventy countries. He said like other athletes from the NW Province, he is good in long distance races. Unfortunately, no long distance athletes from Cameroon took part in the Beijing Olympic Games.

One of the key events during the ceremony was a thrilling Under 20 football final between Milan PS of Mbveh and Bamfem Adidas FC of Kimbo. Bamfem FC beat Milan PS, one goal to zero. In an earlier encounter, Smack Down FC out played Valentino FC in a cadet football finals, 3 goals to 1. All the teams that took part in the competition received prizes.

In the months ahead, Milano Kumbo Sports Academy will be involved in more athletic events at both local and international levels. Milano athletes are already bracing up for the November Mountain Race in Nigeria and a pre-selection marathon for the December Dallas Marathon.
The Kumbo sports-loving population has found some consolation, having been recently orphaned following the relegation of Kumbo Strikers FC, one time winner of the Cameroon Football Cup of Cameroon, from the first division to the inferior league.

Comments

I have see you talking about the other two athlet who participate in boston marathon,were are the other two?I sew in the internet that one goes international, Why did you not talk about?.We are sorry.But,YOU can still correct it and sent again. Taku mary.

Posted by: Taku mary | October 12, 2008 at 07:38 AM