Leocadia Bongben
21 February 2008
Buea — An insurance company, Samaritan Insurance, Sunday, February 17, offered the Queen of the Mountain, Sarah Liengu Etonge, a job.
Etonge, who has won the Mt. Cameroon Race Of Hope seven times, landed the job after emerging second at the 13th edition of the race of Hope. Although it is not stated what functions she would be performing, many said it was the best thing that has happened in the life of the legendary mountaineer.
Etonge stunned everyone when she participated in this year's race contrary to an earlier announcement by Cameroon Athletics Federation that she had retired.The Queen of the Mountain surprised even the Federation and reportedly retorted that she had not consulted her ancestors on whether to retire or not.
Against general belief that she was tired and needed rest, she came second, looking stronger than in her last participation. The Post learned that Etonge argued that being a mother of seven and the sole breadwinner of her family, she did not have any substitute activity or profession to take care of her family.
Coming second this year, the FCFA 2 million cash prize would be of tremendous assistance to her.According to the Mayor of Buea, Charles Mbella Moki, the announcement that Etonge was not to be part of the race for 2007 was simply an overstatement.
He argued that Etonge found the consolation price of FCFA 500,000 proposed by the government not commensurate with her preparations for the race. He said the woman deserves to be honoured
Meanwhile, some local Buea inhabitants destroyed an effigy of Etonge, which the Athletics Federation had made to honour the athlete. The embittered people argued that the effigy did not look like Etonge and that government had treated her poorly.
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