Eldickson Agbortogo
31 March 2008
The opening ceremony of the five-day secondary schools sports jamboree was witnessed by over ten members of government.
The 10th edition of the National Finals of Schools Games code named "FENASCO A" has kicked-off in Bafoussam with the Minister of Secondary Education, Louis Bapes Bapes calling on the students and officials to respect the rules of the game by staying away from corrupt practices. He said each year, the "FENASCO A" Games witness many innovations. The main innovations this year were on the elaboration of the budget of the games, looking for sponsors, a composition of the delegation of officials and athletes, designation of members of the organization committee, draws of the games and renovations of the infrastructure, he stated.
Accompanied by top government officials amongst whom were the vice Prime Minister, Minister of Agriculture Jean Nkwete, Augustine Edjoa, Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Adoum Garoua, Minister of Youths, Jean Bernard Sindeu, Minister of Mines, Water and Energy, Zachary Perevet, Minister of Employment and Professional Training, Haman Adama, Minister of Basic Education, Clobert Tchatat, Minister of Urban Development and Catherine Abena, Secretary of State for Secondary Education, Minister Bapes recalled the sad events in Ngaoundere last year and warned against the use of mercenaries. He said, heavy sanctions await any delegation caught either using mercenaries or cheating. He thanked the local organization committee for the wonderful job done to make the event a success and prayed that the prevailing festive and convivial atmosphere should continue throughout the games.
Preceding the Education boss on the rostrum was the Mayor of Bafoussam I, Gnang Cyrille who welcomed and called on all the officials and athletes to enjoy their stay in Bafoussam which is a very attractive touristic town. He said Bafoussam is endorsed with cultural edifices which the youths can visit and draw inspiration.
The crowd-pulling event which took place at the Lycee Classique Sports Complex was highlighted by the lighting of the Olympic flame, the hoisting of the flag, the taking of oath by a representative athletes and officials respectively and a march past by the different delegations.
Over ten delegations filed past the ground stand carrying placards. On some of these placards one could read: "Fair Play for the Good of the Game" and "Youths for Social Peace".
The event was animated by a band from the Bilingual Private Secondary School Tama and punctuated by a series of traditional dances from the grassfield. At press time, the opening football encounter against the West and the Littoral Provinces was still going on with the littoral leading the West by 1 - 0.
Meanwhile, an exhibition match pitting a selection of girls of the general secondary education to those of the technical education did set the ball rolling.
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