By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
Athletes from all ten regions of the country showcased their talents at the 64th National Athletics Championship, held from August 9 to 10 at Olembe Stadium in Yaounde. The event, which served as a platform for athletes to compete in various disciplines from high jump to track events, saw a number of record-breaking performances.
In the women’s long jump, Adèle MafoGang Tenkeu (CAPO) secured the gold medal with a impressive leap of 5.85 meters. On the men’s side, Raymond Nkwemy Tchomfa (DIANG AC) dominated the triple jump, living up to his favorite status with a solid 7.42-meter performance.
Middle-distance runner Liliane Nguetsa (AIA) took home the gold in the women’s 1500 meters, crossing the finish line in 4:39.92 after a fiercely contested race. The men’s 100-meter dash saw Mayoumendam Zounedou (CNPS) and Franck Yohe Yenda (AIA) deliver electrifying performances, clocking in at 10.41 and 10.45 seconds, respectively, to the delight of the crowd.
Endurance was on full display in the women’s 10,000 meters, where Otomo Mendouga Espérance (FAP) dominated the race with a time of 38:19.52. She was joined on the podium by her clubmates, Tatah Carine and Layou Nancy, who completed a clean sweep for their club.
In the 400-meter hurdles, Arthur Tenkeu Kengne (CNPS) led the men’s field with a time of 52.03 seconds. Adèle MafoGang (CAPO) demonstrated her versatility and poise by also winning the women’s 100-meter hurdles in 15.41 seconds. In the women’s javelin throw, Christelle Linda Angounou secured the victory. The championship also highlighted promising young talent in the cadet and junior categories, signaling a bright future for Cameroonian athletics.
Despite the athletic success, Michel Nkolo, the National Technical Director of the Cameroon Athletics Federation, expressed concern over the declining number of participating clubs.
“We went from around twenty participating clubs to only ten,” he stated. “Clubs like Cameroun Sport or AIA did not generate the enthusiasm they once did. Today, it is mainly the Armed Forces and the Police (FAP), which have strong squads, that dominate both the cup and the championship. The commitment of other clubs has significantly decreased, which is worrying.”
With four athletes now selected to represent the country at the upcoming World Athletics Championships, the event’s primary goal of identifying and preparing the best athletes for major international competitions was successfully met.
