Unprecedented: Over 2,000 attend opening ceremony of Hon Malomba’s holiday tournament in Buea.

The one-month holiday football tournament, an initiative of the Buea Urban Constituency Member of Parliament, MP, Hon Malomba Donald Esembe, was officially flagged off Sunday.

It was the Secretary General at the South West Governor’s Office, Acha Gilbert Nkwenti, representative of Governor Bernard Okala Bilai, who gave the official kick-off.

This was in the presence of the President of the South West Regional Assembly President, Bakoma Zacheus Elango; Divisional Officer, DO, of Buea, Abdouraman; Director General, DG, of NASLA, Tanyitiku Bayee, and a host of other administrators and traditional rulers. 

Also conspicuously present at the opening ceremony were officials of the BIAKA University Institute of Buea and MTN Cameroon, official sponsors of the event.

Other sponsors include the National Advanced School of Local Administration, NASLA, and the South West Regional Assembly.

The 2,000-seater capacity Molyko Omnisport stadium was full to the brim as the Hon Malomba-sponsored tournament went on the rails Sunday.

Before real business began on the pitch, some fifteen chiefs from Fako Division present at the ceremony, had conducted libation in strict intimacy.

Animation, especially by fan clubs of the opposing teams for the opening encounter pitting Tole and Bokwaongo, began as early as 11a.m; despite the heavy downpour witnessed in Buea Sunday. 

When Hon Malomba Esembe took to the rostrum, prior to the official start of the football tournament, he first thanked partners and sponsors for believing in his vision.

Hon Malomba, who sits atop the Parliamentary Network on Road Safety at the National Assembly, stated that the central theme of the tournament is the accord between the population of Buea Urban Constituency and the No.1 sports man of the nation, His Excellency President Paul Biya.

He said in line with the Head of State’s vision on promoting sports, he will use the holiday tournament as a vehicle to enhance social cohesion, national unity and living together.

He was full of thanks to the official sponsors of the event, including the Biaka University Institute of Buea, BUIB, MTN, NASLA and the South West Regional Assembly. 

He exhorted all the participating teams to exhibit the spirit of Fair Play throughout the tournament. 

Particularly, Hon Malomba urged all individuals who are eligible to vote and yet to register, to do so during the tournament as mobile teams from ELECAM will be present.

Encounter proper

The kick-off of the opening encounter, it should be said, was given by the Secretary General at the South West Governor’s office, Acha Gilbert Nkwenti. 

The encounter began at exactly 3.30pm. The electrifying encounter which pitted Tole against Bokwaongo ended 2:1 in favour of Tole.

Bokwaongo opened scores during the first half but failed to consolidate the lead position.

Tole came from behind to equalise before the end of the first half. They took the lead during the second half of the game. 

Tole now sits top of Pool A with 3 points. Sixteen teams are taking part in the tournament which ends on August 25.

The teams have been drawn from the various neighborhoods that make up the Buea Urban Constituency.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post Issue No:3184 of Tuesday July 30, 2024