Yaounde: First edition of deaf sports tourney ends in style.

The three-day event was organised at the Presidential Guard Sports Complex in Obili, Yaounde under the patronage of the city Mayor of Yaounde, Luc Messi Atangana. 

The competition provided an opportunity for deaf sports officials to detect young talents.

The representative of the President of the National Paralympic Committee, Oben Philip, said he was satisfied with the fact that the competition went on for three days without any major incident. 

He said he is certain that during the next edition, the level of the competition will be higher both in individual and collective sports. 

According to Oben Philip, talent detection has already started and will continue in the next editions.

On his part, the President of the Centre Regional League for Deaf Sports, Wilfried Tagne expressed satisfaction with the performances of the athletes in the different disciplines. 

He said the objectives for this year were not fully attained because nine schools were expected but schools from Eseka, Obala, Ndiki and Sa’a were absent due to lack of means.

For three days, the young athletes competed in four sports disciplines notably athletics, basketball, handball and football. 

In the football final, the Specialised School for Hearing-impaired Children, ESEDA beat the National Centre for deaf people 2-0 to lift the trophy. 

The team captain of ESEDA, Monesse Malloh said he was happy with the victory. He said the team was able to make it through hard work.

In the women’s handball, Government Technical High School Yaounde beat Government High School Nkoleton 4-1. 

One of the players, Odilia Nzie said she was happy with the victory. She said she loves handball and will participate again in handball next year.

At the close of the event, trophies were awarded to athletes who distinguished themselves in the competition. 

Traditional dances from the Centre Region animated the occasion. The event culminated with a parade of the different schools.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3356 of Saturday February 01, 2025