By Walter Wilson Nana & Bless Zoche (UB Journalism Student)
For the 4th consecutive year, the National School of Sports and Physical Education, INJS, has emerged overall winner of the Cameroon University Games. At the close of the official medal counts and ceremony, Saturday, May 12 2012, INJS had to their credit 45 medals; 17 in gold, 16 silver and 12 bronze.
Athletes and officials savour the goodness of victory
The runners up were University of Yaoundé II with 45 medals; 12 gold, 10 silver and 23 bronze. At the third position was the University of Dschang with 31 medals; 10 in gold, 6 silver and 15 bronze. The University of Douala came at the fourth position with 27 medals; 9 in gold after grabbing the 9th gold medal from the football final, beating the University of Buea football team 3 goals to 2 after post match penalties. At the close of 90 minutes it was no goal each way. Their silver count was 7 and 11 for bronze.
The host, University of Buea, UB, finished the varsity games at the 8th position with 17 medals; 3 in gold, 5 silver and 9 bronze. This is the best performance for UB in fifteen years of the Cameroon University Games.
Dr Ngoa Ngele of INJS displays the medals won by his institution
According to Dr. Daniel Ngoa Ngele, Director of INJS, they came to take part in the games and to do their best. “Everybody came to win something and congratulations to those who have done so. This is the fourth time we are shooting to the spotlight, thanks to our preparations. We are not special in our style but consistent in the way we do things,” he said.
Ngoa Ngele said many years ago, it was the University of Yaoundé I calling the shots, now it is the turn of INJS. “Tomorrow, it may be the turn of another university or private higher institution. Everybody has a plan to win, so we must continue to strategise in our preparations,” he added.
He found in the organisation little hitches but will add that it is part of every human endeavour. “There is no perfect organisation. The authorities of UB and the National Federation of University Sports, FENASU, put up their best. I say congratulations to them and hope it will be better next time,” he said.
Still from the INJS delegation, came the best female individual athlete FENASU 2012 in Buea, Appes Ekanga. She distinguished herself, bagging home 4 gold medals in the 100m, 200m, 4x100m and 4x400m races.
Liliane Nguetsa of the University Institute of the Golf of Guinea, IUGG, had 3 gold medals in the 800m, 1500m and 5000m races.
In the best male individual athlete for FENASU 2012 in Buea, Alex Landry Mamba of the University of Yaoundé II took home 2 gold medals in Long Jump and Triple Jump. Mohamadou Adamou of IUGG also had 2 gold medals. He broke the varsity games records of the 10,000m, scoring 1387 points, following the IAAF rules. He was the gold medallist for 5000m.
The UB football team produced the best player of the games, Hilton Fube, despite losing his penalty during the shoot outs.
As many-trophies as possible for the best athletes
The fair play trophy went to the University of Yaoundé II, while the best fans club for the state university was the National Advanced School of Public Works, Yaoundé and the best fans club for the other higher institutions that took part was the National School of Post and Telecommunications, coming in for the first time.
While closing the curtains for the games in Buea, Prof. Jacques Fame Ndongo said he enjoyed the plethora of activities like any other participant in the land of Legendary Hospitality – Buea.
According to Fame Ndongo, it was not only a time to savour the taste of victories and defeats; it was another opportunity to foster the spirit of national unity, team work and tolerance in an atmosphere of happiness. “The spirit of competitions prevailed,” he said.
He congratulated INJS for their victories, noting that FENASU and the ministry of higher education were proud to have them in the family. “You deserve a big applause, while we also welcome the National School of Post and Telecommunications, Yaoundé.”
Fame Ndongo denounced the acts of irresponsibility demonstrated at the opening ceremony, while calling on the UB management to ensure that serenity, team work and peace reign on campus.
The Higher Education boss announced that University of Ngaoundere will host the 2013 Varsity Games.
In solidarity with the athletes and the Ministry of Higher Education, Cyprian Fondufe Wongibe, Inspector General in the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education mentioned that his ministry will support the best 75 athletes at FENASU 2012 Buea with FCFA 50,000 each as they pursue their educational and sporting career.
Official Medals Table at the Close of the Games
REACTIONS
We prepared the games with a lot of difficulties, but we have closed it in style and attained our objective – grabbing the gold medal in football. We made the difference against the UB football team in our attitude towards the game. We did not panic or feel intimidated in front of the UB home crowd.
Tchetchoua Kapsu, Captain Douala Football Team
The University games have come and gone. We, the staff of the University of Buea are proud to have had the third opportunity to host the Games. We started on a timid note, but we quickly found our feet and progressed to a successful end.
The disturbances caused by the so called UBSU Pressure Group, which we condemn strongly, cannot be attributed to our athletes and sportspersons, not even the clamour for delayed bonuses. Our athletes promised to do better in this edition and they have delivered wonderfully by winning 3 gold, 5 silver and 9 bronze medals. We congratulate them warmly. My gratitude go to the Minister of Higher Education, the President of FENASU, MTN, all our sponsors and especially the various heads of delegation for their wonderful collaboration during the Games.
Prof. Vincent Titanji, Vice Chancellor, University of Buea
My institution did not perform well. We’re happy that we participated. We made an impact in our football matches. We’re a young institution as concerns the games but in the future we will do better. We have learnt some few things.
Francis Yong, Proprietor, National Polytechnic, Bambui
We are leaving the games with a lot of satisfaction. We are taking home lessons, make corrections were we erred and improve on our strong points. In 2011, our maiden participation, we had a medal. 2012, we’ve three medals. Next year we will emphasise on individual sporting disciplines. We have not hosted before, so, we appreciate UB for what they have done, though lapses could be noticed in some areas.
Prof. Edward Tafah Edokat, Vice-Chancellor, University of Bamenda
I’m pleased being in Buea for the games. It has been a spirited one week with the activities out here; camaraderie, fair play amongst the athletes and officials. We maintained our position for the sporting activities like last year and we promise to do better subsequently. For the fans club, we came first, amongst the state universities and other higher institutions in the country. We prepared for everything; sporting disciplines and the fans club. We thank the organising committee, the higher education ministry, the government of Cameroon for their support to the youths despite minor hiccups one may see. When you assemble more four thousand people at a go, expect some difficulties.
Prof. George Elambo Nkeng, Director, National Advanced School of Public Works, Yaoundé
We lost a beautiful match. Technically and tactically, the match was played in the mind. That is the game of football, there must be a winner and a loser. I congratulate our opponents and we look forward to do better in subsequent games. We will work harder in Ngaoundere next year.
Nicolas Asangou, Coach, UB Football Team:
The games were tough, but thanks to proper preparation, our university were able to reach their target. Our focus was to emerge amongst the first three and our participation was based on fair play. With regards to the general organisation, we praise U.B for hosting the games, although a few students almost ruined the feast. Those who have not been in charge can criticise, but I will not. Each year is different and so are the challenges but so far, U.B has done its best. There are many ways to express grievances so students should not destroy the feast. University Games provide an avenue for everyone to relax, demonstrate sports excellence and fair play, not cheating. It must not happen again.
Prof. Anaclet Fomethe, Rector, University of Dschang:
We are thankful to the Local Organising Committee for all the dispositions taken for our delegation to feel at home in Buea. Our performance has been satisfactory in the overall, especially in judo where we grabbed 10 medals, 5 in gold. I am disappointed with athletics where Yaoundé 1 won only 1 gold, out of a possible 29. Our drop in performance can be attributed to the youthfulness of the team and we hope that they will improve in the future. My biggest worry was the late programming of matches in tennis, some of which went up to 2 a.m.
Prof. Oumarou Bouba, Rector, University of Yaounde I
We performed very badly, winning just 2 silver and 6 bronze medals. Last year, we won 2 gold. However, our sojourn in Buea has been pleasurable except for the incident caused by the “pressure group” during the opening ceremony. We recommend that athletes be selected based on a certain level of competence to keep the standards high and to meet up with national and international expectations and challenges.
Dr. Haman Djallo, Secretary- General, University of Maroua
