By Brian Mboh
The Minister of Territorial Administration (MINAT), Paul Atanga Nji, has issued a clarion call for Cameroonians to integrate regular physical exercise into their daily routines, citing its profound benefits for long-term health and vitality.
The Minister made this appeal on Saturday, May 23, at the Golgotha Tennis Club in Yaoundé, where he demonstrated his own commitment to fitness by completing a rigorous tennis match that lasted one hour and thirty minutes without interruption.
The exhibition match was attended by high-profile figures, including Prof. François Bolvine Wakata, Minister Delegate in charge of Relations with the Assembly; Samuel Eto’o Fils, President of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT); and numerous local tennis enthusiasts.
Through this display of stamina, Minister Atanga Nji appeared to address recent public commentary regarding his physical well-being. Furthermore, he used the platform to advise football authorities on the qualities necessary for the next generation of athletes.
“It is very important for our players to take sports seriously in order to avoid muscle cramps,” the Minister stated. “It is vital to exercise, for it helps to keep you in good shape.”
Reflecting on his own regimen, Atanga Nji added, “As you can see, I am above 65 years, yet you can acknowledge my fitness due to my constant involvement on the tennis courts. You should emphasize endurance and resistance when calling up your players. Your presence today among us is to make you part of the dynamic.”
Echoing these sentiments, FECAFOOT President Samuel Eto’o Fils lauded the initiative, noting that sports serve as a catalyst for rejuvenation.
“Seeing Minister Paul Atanga Nji play for one hour and thirty minutes is a clear message of how sports can help overcome health challenges through endurance and resistance,” Eto’o remarked.
Eto’o further emphasized the importance of the event, stating that his presence was intended to support the Minister’s vision and to encourage the broader Cameroonian public to make physical activity a cornerstone of their daily lives.
