By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
The city of Yaoundé awakens to a new day. Golden sunlight, piercing through the morning mist, casts shimmering reflections on countless windows.
A typical Wednesday, yet the city pulses with energy. Above, a blanket of clouds shrouds the sky, promising an uncertain weather pattern. Undeterred, Yaoundé’s residents dive into their daily routines with their eyes instinctively scanning the heavens for any sign of change.
As the holiday season unfolds, the city streets thrum. A common sight is the abundance of children roaming the streets, possibly preparing for the upcoming academic year. While some have opted to learn a trade or craft, many have found joy in honing their football skills.
With vacant plots transformed into makeshift pitches and local stadiums brimming with young hopefuls, the pursuit of football stardom is deep. Despite the dusty conditions, children in neighborhoods like Accacia in Yaoundé VI are undeterred in their dreams.
The Edu Sport Academy Holiday Camp is there and has become a haven for many young football enthusiasts. Immersed in an atmosphere of dreams and aspirations, these children are refining their talents under the guidance of experienced coaches.
From mastering dribbling to perfecting their shooting, the camp offers an all-inclusive training treatment that aims to elevate their game. Beyond athletic development, the camp stresses the need for teamwork, discipline, and good sportsmanship.
Inspired by global football icons like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, André Onana, and Vincent Aboubakar, among others, these young players exhibit a fierce determination to emulate their idols. Their passion and skill are evident on the dusty pitch, where they showcase their abilities with enthusiasm.
Lovan Elyon Kongnyuy Afoh, a young goalkeeper, is particularly inspired by André Onana. Despite his brother’s influence, Kongnyuy Afoh has set his sights on becoming a world-class goalkeeper like Onana diving like him in the pitch.
“My brother who is a goalkeeper at Edu Sport Academy inspired me,” he said, adding, “but my eyes are set on becoming like Onana. I love seeing him play,” he said.
Balancing his football aspirations with academics, Kongnyuy Afoh aims to pursue a degree in electrical engineering. His exceptional goalkeeping skills and ball control make him a promising talent.
Paul Banboye Fonyuy, an aspiring player, possesses speed and dribbling ability but still struggling with finishing. His idol is Cristiano Ronaldo, and he is determined to improve his goal-scoring prowess. “I want to be like Cristiano Ronaldo, CR7,” he said. CR7 is a great player and when I score, I behave like him.”
Another young player dreams of becoming a prolific striker like Vincent Aboubakar or Lionel Messi. He views his participation in the Edu Sport Academy Holiday Camp as a crucial step towards achieving his goals. “Vincent Aboubakar or Lionel Messi are my idols and I wish to become like them, scoring goals and celebrating like them.”
Eve Marie Nyuywir, one of the few girls in the camp, finds comfort playing with the boys and aspires to follow in the footsteps of Ajara Njoya, a Cameroonian women’s football star. “I love to be a great player like Ajara,” she said.
Gabriel Sevidzem Wirndzerem, CEO and Founder of Edu Sport Academy and a coach at the camp, stressed the importance of consistent training. He highlights the progress made by the children in developing fundamental football skills.
“The children have learned basic football skills like ball control, kicking, heading, taking penalty kicks, and goalkeeping. A lot has happened since this Holiday Camp began, and I’m happy with the children’s progress, even though constant follow-up is needed,” Wirdzerem said.
Sevedzem Wirdzerem believes such initiatives are essential for nurturing a passion for the sport and instilling valuable life lessons like teamwork and discipline within the children.
A guardian who wished to remain anonymous expresses gratitude for the positive impact the camp has had on their child, emphasizing the importance of socialization and pursuing one’s passions.
“I’m happy that my child has changed a lot since coming here. Socializing like this is important, and letting your child do what they love is the best,” the guardian said.
In Cameroon, football has become a lucrative pursuit, with parents eager to see their children excel at the highest level. The global reach of the sport, thanks to the achievements of Cameroonian and international stars, has ignited a passion for football among the youth.
While football dominates the scene, other sport disciplines are also gaining popularity as children explore their abilities. As the journey to becoming a professional sports man is challenging, the spirit and determination of these young players are undeniably inspiring.
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