2026 Dixiades: Olympics committee, D'la City Council seal pact for successful hosting.

The agreement was formalised Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at the Douala City Hall by the City Mayor, Dr. Roger Mbassa Ndine and CNOSC President, Colonel Hamad Kalkaba Malboum. 

The signing ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including the Minister Grégoire Owona, Senior Vice President of the CNOSC and National Coordinator of Dixiades.

Dr. Mbassa Ndine expressed pride in Douala’s selection as host city, noting that it cements the metropolis’ status as Cameroon’s “sports capital.” He said the 2026 games would not only showcase athletics talents, but also leave behind new infrastructure, improved equipment, and better opportunities for youth development.

“Our sports policy already includes six active leisure and sports centres, with a seventh soon to be inaugurated. Hosting the Dixiades fits squarely into our vision of promoting social cohesion and peace through sports, while preparing the next generation of champions,” the City Mayor declared.

For his part, CNOSC President, Colonel Kalkaba Malboum, highlighted the Dixiades’ strategic importance. He described the event as more than a competition, stressing its triple mission of uniting youths from Cameroon’s ten regions, identifying emerging sports talents, and ensuring lasting sports infrastructure.

“The Dixiades are a powerful expression of national unity and sporting excellence. Douala successfully hosted the third edition in 2012, and we are confident it will once again rise to the occasion,” Kalkaba Malboum said, urging stakeholders to set up a local organising committee without delay.

According to Minister Owona, the MoU clearly defines the responsibilities of both parties, ensuring compliance with the Olympic Charter and national regulations. He revealed that the 2026 edition will feature 11 sports disciplines — athletics, badminton, women’s basketball, boxing, football, weightlifting, handball, judo, wrestling, table tennis, and volleyball. The opening and closing ceremonies, he added, will blend Olympic traditions with the rich cultural heritage of the Littoral Region.

In a nutshell, the 2026 Dixiades are also seen as a stepping stone toward the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, offering Cameroonian athletes a vital platform to sharpen their skills for global competition.

With the protocol signed, the countdown is now on for Douala to deliver what stakeholders have pledged will be the “best Dixiades ever” —a celebration of talent, unity, and the enduring power of sport in nation-building.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3561 of Thursday September 11, 2025