Desmond Chamako Attributes Historic Three-Medal Sweep & Pro License To Discipline, Consistency

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Fresh off a remarkable three-medal performance at the just ended 2026 World Bodybuilding and Fitness Championship, Cameroonian bodybuilder Desmond Khan Awa alias Desmond Chamako has credits hard work, consistency and relentless discipline for his ascension to the professional ranks.

**Desmond Chamako, speaking while presenting his medals** (Photo: Mainimo Etienne)

Competing on home soil during the World Fitness Federation event that took place from July 24-28 in Yaounde, Awa delivered a standout performance across multiple divisions. He secured a gold medal in the classic men’s physique category, earning the title of world champion, and placed second in the men’s physique category to claim a silver medal.

His gold-medal victory qualified him to step onto the stage with professional competitors that same day, where he earned a second silver medal and officially secured his international professional license.

Speaking to reporters Friday August 7 in Yaounde, Desmond Chamako described the intense physical toll required to prepare for world-class competition, where athletes undergo extreme dehydration and strict diet protocols to emphasize muscle definition.

**Desmond Chamako** (Photo: Mainimo Etienne)

“It was very difficult because with bodybuilding, you don’t actually know your opponent until the day of the competition,” Desmond Chamako said. “During the preparation, you don’t eat. You stay dry from morning till you compete. You don’t even drink water — you just sip small amounts of water so your stomach isn’t full and you can present your muscles to the judges.”

Despite the intense pressure of competing against top international athletes, Desmond Chamako said his prior experience competing on international stages in Morocco and Dubai helped him stay composure under the spotlight.

“I had to challenge my competitors on stage because they also had great bodies, but I needed to present my body like an artist,” Desmond Chamako said. “On stage, you gain the judges’ attention if you are relaxed and don’t feel tense.”

Awa’s path to the global stage began in 2015 in Bamenda, where he started training in a small local gym with makeshift equipment constructed from sand and cement. Sociopolitical unrest in the region forced him to relocate to Yaounde in 2020, where he continued to refine his craft.

His dedication paid off in 2023 when he captured his first national title, catching the attention of the Cameroon Federation of Bodybuilding, which selected him to represent the nation at the 2026 world championship.

Looking ahead, the newly minted professional plans to step up his regimen, preparing his own meals and consuming six strict, nutrient-dense meals a day consisting primarily of chicken, rice and sweet potatoes.

Desmond Chamako hopes his achievements will serve as a blueprint for aspiring athletes across the continent.

“There is no big deal in bodybuilding. All you need is consistency, hard work and patience, because you can’t build muscles in one day or one week,” Desmond Chamako said. “It is high time for me to start inspiring the younger generation because I am no longer an amateur. I am a professional bodybuilder with the trophy and license to prove it, and sport is ultimately about health.”

Desmond Chamako’s manager, Desmond Ayima Teneng, expressed high ambitions for the champion’s future, noting that the goal is to see Desmond Chamako compete on the world’s biggest international stages, including future Olympic platforms, to continue making his country proud.

Sport analysts say, from modest beginnings with sand-filled weights to standing on the world podium, Desmond Chamako has proven that dedication and patience can turn dreams into reality.

**Desmond Chamako ’s manager, Desmond Ayima Teneng speaking** (Photo: Mainimo Etienne)

Football Fans Demand Overhaul As Shadows Of Corruption Continue To Loom

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Debate over the integrity of Cameroonian football has erupted once again across street corners, leaving fans and observers questioning what is really happening behind the scenes of football in the country. While supporters desperately search for clear answers regarding the governance of the game, transparency remains elusive, leaving critical questions unanswered.

**Colombe FC v Avion FC during the 2024 football season** (Photo: Mainimo Etienne)

The latest firestorm was sparked by the President of Mankon Football Club, who revealed he received a phone call from unidentified individuals demanding a bribe to guarantee his team’s promotion into the Elite Two Championship. The bombshell allegation has reignited a fierce national debate over whether competition on the pitch is driven by merit or shadowy backroom transactions.

Whether the claims from the Mankon FC President are eventually proven true or not, sports enthusiasts insist the situation cannot be ignored, pointing out that where there is smoke, there is usually fire. Whispers of widespread favoritism in both the Elite One and Elite Two championships have circulated for years, but recent events have led many to believe that certain clubs enjoy systematically rigged advantages.

“From the declarations of the President of Mankon Football Club, I want to think or believe that football in this country is not by merit,” one fan said, voicing a growing skepticism shared by many. “That I am sure because when you watch a first or second division match, you are tempted to conclude so many things.”

For many supporters, that skepticism is reinforced weekend after weekend by officiating that appears entirely one-sided.

“How would you explain that once a certain referee keeps handling matches of a particular team, that team is bound to win no matter how the opponent plays,” another fan pointed out. “Even those of us sitting on the stands can testify that some refereeing decisions are biased.”

Those who follow the domestic leagues closely argue that the issue runs far deeper than a few questionable calls or isolated bribe attempts. To them, the entire structure of Cameroonian football is decaying from within, threatening to pull down every level of the sport if left unaddressed.

“Our football system needs complete overhaul because we can now see that corruption and others have taken over the football landscape,” a sports lover explained. “Our different football categories are not succeeding and everything seems to be falling.”

“I am so sure that this favouritism and corruption in our football is the reason we are not succeeding. Just look at our teams when they go for continental competitions—they are a shadow of themselves. You start to ask how they even managed to get there in the first place,” another fan said.

The frustration extends beyond individual matches to the broader administration of sports across the country. Fans openly wonder how a nation with such a rich footballing heritage allowed its domestic competitions to drift into such disrepair.

“We need to rethink because our football just like other sporting disciplines is not working because of reasons best known,” another spectator said. “When has our football made us happy again? Everything is just going down. Even in the country, championships go on the whims and caprices of some people with results determined before the match is played.”

As public outrage continues to mount and pressure builds on league authorities to respond, rumors are beginning to circulate that the Mankon FC incident is merely the tip of the iceberg—and that an imminent revelation could soon expose the exact names and figures operating within the shadows of the league.

Bambalang–Bafanji Road Deteriorates, Disrupting Travel and Trade in Northwest Cameroon

By Brian Mboh

The Bambalang–Bafanji road in Ngoketunjia Division, North-West Region, Cameroon, continues to deteriorate, with several sections severely eroded and at risk of collapse.

**Deteriorating Bambalang–Bafanji road in Ngoketunjia Division, North-West Region, Cameroon**

The worsening condition is making travel increasingly difficult for cyclists, commercial drivers and other road users. Some portions have been badly damaged, increasing the risk of accidents and slowing movement along the route.

According to a sister media outlet, residents say the poor state of the road is also disrupting the transportation of passengers, farm produce and other goods. Longer travel times and rising transport costs are adding pressure to businesses and communities that rely on the corridor.

The Bambalang–Bafanji road is an important link between Cameroon’s North-West and West regions. Its continued decline is affecting trade, local economic activity and the daily movement of people between the two regions.

Road users are calling on the government to carry out urgent rehabilitation works before the road becomes completely impassable.

Archbishop Of Canterbury Urges Cameroon Anglicans To ‘Stand Firm’ Amid Life’s Struggles

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. Sarah Mullally, spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion, has urged faithful in Cameroon to “stand firm” as they navigate their daily struggles.

**The Most Rev. Sarah Mullally greets the faithful as she arrives at St. John’s Anglican Church in Yaounde for her farewell Eucharist, following her five-day pastoral visit to Cameroon** *(Photo: Mainimo Etienne)*

The Most Rev. Mullally made the statement Aug. 4 at Saint John’s Anglican Church in Yaounde during her farewell Mass, marking the final day of a five-day pastoral visit to Cameroon that began July 31.

Drawing inspiration from Matthew 14:22-36, the account of Jesus walking on water and calming the storm, she told the congregation, “I encourage you to stand firm in the faith, to know that God sees you, that Jesus sees you, that God is with you both in the wrestling and in the blessing.”

Reflecting on the community’s diversity, the Archbishop acknowledged that while difference often accompanies richness, it can also be perceived as a threat. She said differences and diversity can serve as a route to dialogue and peace rather than a wall of division.

“In the Anglican Communion, we have learned that our differences don’t have to be a barrier to relationships,” she said. “When we acknowledge our differences, when we find the strength to come to the table together, we can learn from one another. We can find a unity in our common desire to follow Jesus Christ, to share his love and his peace in the world.”

She continued, “Jesus calls all people to follow him. He calls fishermen, traders, tax collectors. He calls men and women. He calls young people, children. He calls his people to get into the boat and build up this missionary church. Hallelujah! But Jesus doesn’t promise that the way will always be easy, but he does promise that he will be with us always.”

**Front view of the St. John’s Anglican Church in Yaounde** *(Photo: Mainimo Etienne)*

Archbishop Mullally said Christians can have confidence in Jesus when they turn to the Lord and cry out for help, because Jesus is close at hand and sees them. She said Jesus hears all cries and lifts everyone from the waves.

“So put your faith in Jesus,” she said. “Fix your eyes upon him, for it is him who commands the winds and the waves. Keep your heart alert to his voice and his word of peace. Trust in the mighty name of Jesus and in his authority alone to say, for he is your strength. He sees you.”

She added, “As we follow Jesus, just like the disciples, we are called to get out of the boat in new places, to be missionary people who share the good news of Jesus for the healing of the nations. Our world cries out for healing. Millions of people live in fear.”

Archbishop Mullally praised the Cameroonian church for its efforts in reconciliation, saying, “You are strong because you sit together at the table, building partnerships for peace. You nurture your congregations, seeking to be places of healing and reconciliation. Peace requires genuine and inclusive dialogue. It needs to have everyone around the table, and that requires courage. It requires strength.”

Having spent time in Ghana and Cameroon, the Most Rev. Mullally said she leaves profoundly inspired and full of hope for the church. She said that during her pastoral visit, she has “seen with my own eyes, touched with my hands, and have felt with my whole heart the faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,” and she gave thanks to God.

**The Most Rev. Sarah Mullally handing gift to the host priest during her farewell Eucharist at St. John’s Anglican Church in Yaounde** *(Photo: Mainimo Etienne)*

In Cameroon, the Most Rev. Mullally said she had been struck by the beauty of the landscape of “Africa in miniature.”

“I was inspired to hear about the mission of the church, supporting agricultural projects in communities on the outskirts of this city and to see the church grow through its ministry,” she said. “The riches of diversity of Cameroon is such a blessing.”

Before arriving in Cameroon, Archbishop Mullally spent time in Ghana, where she spoke with the Anglican community there. During her five days in Cameroon, she visited the Biaka Foundation in Buea before meeting local Anglican clergy in Limbe. She preached at a welcome service of Holy Communion at Bishopscourt in Douala and visited the city’s Anglican cathedral and a local parish.

She also visited Ste Thérèse, Yeug’assi, on the outskirts of Yaounde, paid a courtesy call on Cameroon’s prime minister and the secretary general at the president’s office, and met with clergy of various denominations in the country.

**The Most Rev. Sarah Mullally administering Holy Communion during her farewell Eucharist at St. John’s Anglican Church in Yaounde** (Photo: Mainimo Etienne)

Cameroon Secures 5 Medals, Finishes 16th At 2026 Commonwealth Games

By Brian Mboh

Cameroon wrapped up its participation at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, on Sunday, Aug. 2, earning five total medals. The delegation finished 16th overall with one gold, one silver and three bronze medals across five disciplines and adaptive sports.

**Cameroon’s delegation to the 2026 Commonwealth Games**

Sprinter Emmanuel Eseme secured Cameroon’s lone gold medal, setting a new record in the men’s 100-meter sprint. His victory led the country’s performance, which also included strong finishes in judo and shot put.

The 21-athlete delegation had collected three medals heading into the final day before two judo competitors added to the tally. Franck Tamazang earned a bronze in the 100-kilogram category, while Richelle Soppi Mbella took silver in the women’s over 78-kilogram final. Cameroon’s remaining hardware included two bronze medals in judo and a bronze in the men’s F57 shot put.

The five-medal performance marks an improvement from Cameroon’s results at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.

Australia topped the overall medal standings with 171 medals, including 70 gold, followed by England with 110 medals, including 29 gold. The next Commonwealth Games will take place in Ahmedabad, India, in 2030.

Minister Ousmane Mey Urges ISSEA Graduates to Leverage Cutting-Edge Skills for Development

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

The Minister of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development (MINEPAT), Alamine Ousmane Mey, has urged 108 graduating students from the Sub-Regional Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics (ISSEA) to maintain cutting-edge skills to effectively support public policy and economic development.

***Authorities and graduates posed for a family picture after the event***

Minister Ousmane Mey made the statement during the institution’s graduation ceremony on July 31 in Yaounde. He presided over the event accompanied by Director General of AFRISTAT, Paul-Henri Nguema Meye; the Director General of ISSEA, Dr. Marcel Opoumba; the Governor of the BEAC, Yvon Sana Bangui; and the Representative of the Chairman of the Board of Directors of ISSEA, Congolese Ambassador to Cameroon, Daniel Ngassiki.

In his address, the Economy Minister emphasized the growing importance of statistical information in conducting public policy. He noted that the acceleration of digital transformation and the emergence of artificial intelligence-based technologies require states to access reliable and up-to-date information to guide their development strategies effectively.

Minister Ousmane Mey stressed that data quality now determines the relevance of decisions made in fields as diverse as health, education, infrastructure and the fight against poverty. He encouraged the new graduates to demonstrate professionalism, methodological rigor and ethics in carrying out their future responsibilities.

“Knowledge and skills are never enough,” Minister Ousmane Mey said, stressing the importance of ongoing training to remain competitive. He encouraged the young statisticians and economists to maintain cutting-edge skills to effectively support public policy and economic development.

Meanwhile, the boss of AFRISTAT, Nguema Meye urged the graduates to demonstrate integrity, humility and perseverance as the pillars of their careers.

“Your reputation will be your greatest asset… Your integrity can never be taken from you,” Nguema Meye said, urging the future leaders to exercise leadership based on service, the courage to make decisions and talent development.

Nguema Meye added that the 2026 generation has a historic opportunity thanks to artificial intelligence and collaborative tools. He called on them to “invent African solutions to African problems” to strengthen digital sovereignty and produce data for the benefit of Africa.

The Director General of ISSEA presented the institution’s major strategic directions. In response to the evolving fields of statistics and economics, Opoumba announced the continued modernization of training programs, which now integrate artificial intelligence, Big Data, geospatial data and new analytical methods.

He used the opportunity to confirmed the upcoming creation of a doctoral school, made possible by the institution’s evolving status.

“ISSEA is thus becoming not only a vocational training school, but also a fully-fledged higher education institution,” Opoumba said, expressing his ambition to make the institute an African center of excellence in statistics, economics and data science.

Representing the Chairman of the Board of Directors, H.E Ngassiki commended ISSEA’s 42 years of contribution to training the subregion’s leaders. He stressed the need to support this momentum by establishing a doctoral school and expanding the institution’s infrastructure.

To the Cameroonian authorities, Ngassiki reiterated his plea for the allocation of land to house the institute’s future campus. To the graduates, he recommended “integrity, lifelong learning, and loyalty to ISSEA,” reminding them that the school’s name is now synonymous with competence and rigor across the continent.

A total of 108 graduates received their diplomas in a context marked by the rise of artificial intelligence, data science and profound changes in statistical systems. The graduating class included 19 advanced statistical technicians, 32 statistical analysts, 42 statistical economists and 15 long-cycle statistical economists.

2026 WAFCON: Cameroon, Ghana Renew Storied Rivalry In High-Stakes Group D Clash

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Ghana and Cameroon will renew one of West African women’s soccer’s most contested rivalries Sunday August 2 when the two opening-round winners clash in their second Group D match of the ongoing Women Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON 2026 at Moulay Rachid Stadium.

Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. local time (5 p.m. GMT) in Casablanca, marking the 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations meeting between the powerhouse programs. Ghana holds the historical edge with five victories to Cameroon’s three, alongside one draw.

All nine previous WAFCON encounters between the two nations have produced goals, with six of the eight decided matches settled by a single goal.

Their long-standing history includes classic tournament moments, starting with Ghana’s 3-1 group-stage victory in 1998. Ghana dominated the early years, winning the first three meetings, including a 3-2 extra-time thriller in the 2002 semifinals courtesy of a 120th-minute golden goal by Adjoa Bayor. Cameroon earned its first victory against Ghana in the 2004 semifinals, securing a 1-0 win after extra time with a 95th-minute silver goal from Françoise Bella.

The sides last met at the tournament in 2018 during the group stage, playing to a 1-1 draw that eliminated host Ghana while propelling Cameroon into the knockout rounds. While both teams routinely advanced when paired together in early tournaments, Cameroon has held the upper hand recently, progressing ahead of Ghana in their last three shared group-stage appearances in 2010, 2014, and 2018.

Ghana enters Sunday’s fixture seeking to build momentum after opening its campaign with a dominant 2-0 victory over tournament debutant Cabo Verde. The win marked the eighth time Ghana has started a WAFCON campaign with a victory, though historical trends suggest a difficult second fixture. Ghana has failed to win its second group-stage match in its last five tournament appearances, recording three draws and two defeats since last winning its second game in 2008.

In their opening match against Cabo Verde, the Black Queens generated 26 total shots, six on target, led by Doris Boaduwaa. Boaduwaa attempted nine shots, landing four on target and scoring her first career WAFCON goal, while teammate Josephine Kyerewaa Bonsu anchored the side by winning 11 of 13 duels. The shutout was also Ghana’s first clean sheet in six group-stage matches.

Cameroon arrives with considerable momentum of its own following a 2-1 victory over Mali in its tournament opener. The Indomitable Lionesses have established a strong record following opening-match wins, having won their second fixture on the last three occasions they started the tournament with a victory. Cameroon is currently riding a 10-match unbeaten streak in the WAFCON group stage, with its last group-stage defeat coming at the hands of Ghana in 2014.

Cameroon’s opening victory was highlighted by an efficient performance from Marie Ngah Manga, who scored twice on three shots. Ngah became the first Cameroonian player to score multiple goals in a single WAFCON match since Thérèse Abena accomplished the feat in 2018. As a team, Cameroon maintained strong control against Mali, completing 288 passes at a 74 percent accuracy rate.

A victory for either nation on Sunday would secure six points, virtually guaranteeing a spot in the knockout stage and putting the winner in pole position to top Group D.

CAF Champions League, Confederation Cup Preliminary Draws Set For Aug. 6 In Cairo

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

The path to African club football glory will begin Aug. 6 with the preliminary round draws for the 2026-27 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.

The draws are scheduled to take place at CAF headquarters in Cairo, with the Confederation Cup draw at 2 p.m. local time (11 a.m. GMT), followed by the Champions League draw at 3 p.m. local time (noon GMT). Both events will be broadcast live on CAF TV.

Clubs from across the continent will learn their first opponents as they vie for a place in the group stages of Africa’s premier club competitions. The winners of the Champions League will receive $6 million in prize money, while the Confederation Cup champions will earn $4 million.

Teams eliminated during the preliminary rounds will each receive a solidarity payment of $100,000, part of CAF’s ongoing commitment to supporting participating clubs and boosting engagement in its interclub tournaments.

The preliminary rounds have produced memorable contests and compelling storylines in recent seasons, often pitting established continental powers against ambitious emerging clubs eager to make their mark.

Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa enter the Champions League as defending champions, while USM Alger of Algeria hold the Confederation Cup title after lifting the trophy last season.

I Bring With Me The Prayers Of Our Global Anglican Family – Archbishop Sarah Mullally

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Dame Sarah Mullally, has said she is bringing with her the prayers of the global Anglican Communion as she visits Cameroon. Archbishop Mullally made the statement shortly after landing at Nsimalen International Airport in Yaoundé for a five-day pastoral visit to the country. Her first stop on the African tour was in Ghana.

**Archbishop Sarah Mullally waves to the crowd upon touching down in Cameroon**

On her arrival, she was received by Paul Atanga Nji, Minister for Territorial Administration; Bishop Dibo Thomas-Babyngton Elango, Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Cameroon and Dean of the Internal Province of West Africa; and clergy, along with members of the Mothers’ Union, among others.

“It is a joy to be visiting Cameroon,” Archbishop Mullally said. “I come as a pastor and shepherd to be alongside the Anglican faithful, and assure them they are not forgotten.”

She added: “I bring with me the prayers of our global Anglican family. I look forward to being alongside our beloved brothers and sisters in the Diocese of Cameroon—to accompany them, encourage them, and hear about their lives in this land.”

Archbishop Mullally further said: “In a time of terrible conflicts around the world, and suffering here in Cameroon, I come with the message of the Gospel. This is always a message of peace. It is always about the infinite value of every person made in God’s image. And it is always about the hope we have in Christ—who rose from the dead to bring us new life.”

She also used the occasion to invite Anglicans around the world to pray “for the Church here and for the people of Cameroon.” “May these coming days be a blessing and encouragement to us all—and renew our commitment to be bearers of the good news we have in Jesus Christ.”

During her stay in Cameroon, Archbishop Sarah Mullally will meet and worship with Anglicans in Douala and Yaoundé, and visit Limbe and Buea in the South West Region. She will be joined by the Anglican Bishop of Cameroon, Rt Revd Dibo Thomas-Babyngton Elango.

She will visit the Biaka Foundation in Buea before meeting local Anglican clergy in Limbe. On Sunday, 2 August, she will preach at a welcome service of Holy Communion at Bishopscourt in Douala, before visiting the city’s Anglican cathedral and a local parish.

On Monday, the Archbishop will visit Ste Thérèse, Yeug’assi, on the outskirts of Yaoundé, before paying a courtesy call on the Prime Minister of Cameroon. She will also meet with clergy of different denominations in Cameroon.

Her visit will conclude on Tuesday August 4 with a farewell Eucharist at St John’s Anglican Church in Yaoundé, followed by a courtesy call on the President’s Office.

Esseme Alobwede Storms Torrential Rain In Glasgow To Grab Gold Medal For Cameroon

By Brian Mboh

Emmanuel Eseme Alobwede stormed through torrential rain in Glasgow to claim Commonwealth Games gold for Cameroon in the 100m, in a new record time of 9.83 seconds.

**Emmanuel Eseme Alobwede after winning his gold medal**

Lachlan Kennedy of Australia claimed a surprise silver ahead of Nigeria’s Kanyinsola Ajayi, who had to settle for bronze. Eseme’s time belied the dreadful weather in Scotland as he broke Ato Boldon’s Games record from 28 years ago in Kuala Lumpur.

“That was a crazy race! I’m surprised at the time,” said the 32-year-old, who only took up track and field eight years ago. “The weather I didn’t want to be a setback, you know, because we’re all competing in the same environment, so I can’t have a complaint

“If I have a complaint, it means everyone has a complaint, so I just wanted to have the least of the complaints,” Emmanuel Esseme Alobwede said.

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