Fred Vubem
3 October 2008
This was during the third regional games that took place in Garoua last weekend.
The North Province has hosted and won the third regional Special Olympics games in Cameroon. In the competition that took place at the Roumdé-adja stadium in Garoua last Saturday September 27, the North Province grabbed 9 out of the 12 medals that were put to play in football and athletics; 2 gold, 4 silver and 3 bronze. They were followed by the Far North Province with two medals, one gold and one bronze and the Centre Province came third with only one medal in gold. "I am happy about this victory," said Daniel Foka, gold medallist from the North Province ; "It was important for our province to prove to its public that we are capable of doing great things," he added. The competition took place in 25 and 100m races for women, 100 and 400m men as well as football played with five players.
Speaking on the occasion, the mayor of Garoua II, Oumoul Ahidjo, said she was impressed by the competitive and fair play spirit of the mentally deficient athletes, saying they are capable of achieving great victories if well taken care of.
Meanwhile, the Director of Programmes for Special Olympics Cameroon, Jean Marie Aleokol, said he was happy with the impressive turn out of the population in Garoua and the interest of the mentally deficient children in practising sports. Despite facing difficulties in funding the activities of the sports movement, Jean Marie Aleokol said Special Olympics Cameroon is going to continue organising competitions for mentally handicapped children. He therefore appealed for support from well wishers and the State to enable them to continue with their activities. He revealed that Special Olympics-Cameroon is working towards organising a day of football in Yaounde in November and the fourth regional games in a venue yet to be disclosed. Special Olympics -Cameroon embarked on the organisation of regional games in some provincial headquarters in an effort to promote the practise of sports among mentally handicapped children.
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