The Olympic flame went off last Saturday at the campus of the University of Douala to mark the end of the 11th edition of the university games. An edition which has been qualified as the best both in terms of the organisation and the sporting aspect.

Concerning the sporting aspect, the University of Yaounde I, bounced back on the last day of the competition, to occupy the first position on the medal classification table that was temporarily occupied by the Advanced School of Public Works at the end of the sixth day of play. The University of Yaounde I topped the medal chart with a total of 29 medals; 16 in gold, two in silver and 11 in bronze. They were closely followed by the school of public works they dethroned from the first position, with 26 medals, 13 in gold, tree in silver and 10 bronze medals.

However the revelation of the games has been the Advanced School of Public Works which has been in steady progress since the inception of the university games. From the fifth position occupied during the 10th edition of the games in Ngaoundere, the School of public works moved up to the second position, having flirted on the first position on the sixth day of play. There was no doubt therefore when they grabbed the trophy of excellence in sports for institutions of higher learning. Justifying their brilliant performance, the Director of the institution, Dr Elambo Nkeng, said it is the fruit of efforts initiated since the beginning of the year. "At the beginning of the academic year we ask students who are interested in participating in the games to manifest their interest, then the best athletes are shortlisted and attached to some civilian clubs to learn from their experience where they train once a week; besides, sports is part of the school curriculum in ENSTP", he said.

The 11th Olympiad goes down the annals of history as one of the best organised as the delegations have separate feeding points. The people were also well lodged and buses shuttled between the two campuses of the University of Douala, transporting people. There was also the absence of mercenaries this year in the competition. The only dark spot on the games was the anti sporting behaviour of some athletes and officials which were severely punished by the federation of university sports. An official from INJS fought with the president of his commission and was radiated from the federation; some students of the University of Douala tried to use magic to win a match and were equally punished. The Rector of the University of Douala promised to carry out an investigation and further punish the defaulters.