By Ruphous Takang
Boston, Massachusetts
The National Organization for Manyu Advancement (NOMA) USA has just completed the 2013 edition of the NOMA Soccer Tournament in Mamfe Town. This year’s competition was organized in partnership with the Divisional Delegation of Youth and Sports in Mamfe. The cash prizes this year ranged from 200,000 frs. CFA for the 1st place and 100,000 frs CFA for the 2nd place. Best referee and best player awards earned 25,000 frs. CFA each. The 8 teams that took part in this year’s contest included: Friends of Friends, Junior Veterans, Dream Soccer, Young Friends, Mile One F.C, The Red Devils of Lala, Egbekaw F.C and finally Liverpool of Banya.
After the eliminatory round, 4 teams advanced to the semi finals that took place last Tuesday May 21st and Thursday May 23rd. Friends of Friends defeated Young Friends; while Dream Soccer defeated Junior Veterans. The final was played last Saturday May 25th at the Mamfe Municipal Stadium. Friends of Friends emerged as the 2013 champions after a 2-0 win over Dream Soccer (See picture gallery of indigenous soccer).
This year’s championship activities took
place in the presence of the SDO for Manyu, the DO for Mamfe Central, the Mayor, the Delegate of Youth and Sports and other civic and religious personalities. It should be recalled that the National Organization for Manyu Advancement (NOMA) organizes this tournament once a year for animation, physical fitness and wellness as well as for social and economic reasons. Local businesses thrive and the locals socialize to plan and strategize the course of the games. The players expose themselves and their talent to global
world of soccer and some have used this competition to meet their dreams of higher level of soccer. NOMA, therefore gives the population and the players opportunities to excel, smile and to share in the excitement of victory and competitive loss. In this way, the organization is keeping to one of its promise of collaborative ventures with other partners to contribute in the development of Manyu and the amelioration of the welfare of its citizens.
NOMA, this year, extends appreciation to the Delegation of Youth and Sports, Mr. Samuel Ebot, NOMA Football Manager, Referees, all the teams & the team managers, the security authorities in Mamfe, and the spectators. The organization also thanks all the committed and unwavering members of NOMA who supported this program.
It should also be recalled that besides promoting soccer, NOMA offers academic scholarships to qualified students, internet services, computer training, library, office supplies and provides a myriad of other services at the NOMA Community Center (NCC) in Mamfe. Join hands with NOMA to continue to make a difference in the lives of those living in Manyu division, Cameron.