Douala II Peace Tournament kicks off today.

The ceremony brought together parliamentarians, administrative and sports authorities, municipal councillors, traditional rulers, development partners and coaches. Officials used the event to reiterate their commitment to use sports as a vehicle to foster peaceful coexistence.

The Mayor of Douala II Council, Denise Fampou, described the tournament as the outcome of 16 years of sustained commitment to uniting the population through football and shared values.

She noted that maintaining the initiative over such a long period required determination and perseverance. Fampou stressed that the competition has evolved into a unifying event for young people from the municipality's 33 neighbourhoods, irrespective of their ethnic or religious backgrounds.

"For 16 years, this tournament has brought together children from every corner of Douala II around the ideals of peace and living together," she said, adding that football remains one of the most effective tools for strengthening community bonds.

Fampou also reflected on the remarkable transformation of New-Bell, a neighbourhood with which she shares deep personal roots. 

She said the municipality has worked consistently to change negative perceptions that once surrounded the area.

Declaring herself "a child of New-Bell", Fampou saluted the progress recorded over the years and said her vision is to see the neighbourhood continue on the path of peace, prosperity and development.

Reminiscent of the fact that many residents once hesitated to identify themselves as coming from New-Bell because of the stigma attached to the locality, she said the perception has changed significantly.

Fampou said many now proudly claim their origins both within Cameroon and abroad. The mayor cited the example of the former Nkolmitag neighbourhood, now known as Bonadiwoto, describing it as one of the municipality's most attractive residential areas. 

She said the transformation illustrates the Council's broader ambition of restoring pride among Douala II residents.

"Our objective has always been to ensure that no one feels ashamed to belong to this community," she stated, appealing to residents to safeguard peace, aligning her message with President Paul Biya's longstanding call for national stability.

As "a beggar for peace" in Douala II, she urged inhabitants to continue promoting harmony as the foundation for sustainable development.

Joseph-Antoine Bell hails initiative

Former Indomitable Lions goalkeeper and the ambassador of the Peace Tournament, Joseph-Antoine Bell, said the initiative is far more than a football competition.

He expressed concern over the recent acts of vandalism that affected parts of Douala II, admitting that he feared they could disrupt activities organised for young people during the holiday period.

Bell praised the Chantal Biya Girls' Centre after visiting the facility for the first time, commending the municipal authority for investing in quality infrastructure dedicated to youth development.

He stressed that football should be viewed as a means of educating young people and nurturing responsible citizens rather than merely producing sporting results.

"Football is only a pretext. What matters is everything that can be built through football, including values, citizenship and preparing the next generation" Bell said. 

He encouraged coaches, organisers and participants to use the competition as a school of civic responsibility, insisting that adults have a duty to guide and positively influence the younger generation.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3870 of Thursday August 06, 2026