By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
The organisers of the NAWEWE Sports Jamboree, Local Youth Corner Cameroon (LOYOC), have officially announced that the town of Tiko, in the Southwest Region, will host the 5th edition of the event in 2026.
The announcement was made on February 6, 2026, during a press conference that took place in where stakeholders gathered to review the impact of the 2025 edition held in Bertoua and outline the roadmap for the upcoming year. According to the organisers, the 2026 jamboree will take place under the theme, “Stronger Together In Times Of Crisis Through Sports.”
Speaking during the press conference, LOYOC Chief Executive Officer Christian Achaleke Leke told reporters that Tiko, was selected from three pre-selected cities due to the high level of preparedness and enthusiasm shown by local authorities and others.
Achaleke described Tiko as the “gateway” into the region and expressed confidence that the location offers a unique opportunity to tap into the creative and entrepreneurial spirit of the local population.
He noted that the 5th edition intends to leverage sports as a primary tool for social cohesion, particularly in promoting moral, civic, and entrepreneurial development among young Cameroonians.
He highlighted the exciting innovations slated for the upcoming 5th edition of the NAWEWE Sports Jamboree, emphasizing the potential of tapping into the creative spirit of the Southwest region.
“By creativity, I mean entrepreneurship, film, entertainment, and much more. How can we leverage these elements as tools for social cohesion?” Achaleke stated. He also stressed the importance of building on past experiences to foster community trust and dialogue, particularly in a region grappling with security challenges.
“This jamboree aims to go deeper than previous editions, ensuring that we mobilize local partners who can introduce indigenous processes and tools to address immediate local challenges,” he stated. “NAWEWE may come and go, but the community should continue with these best practices.”
Looking forward, Achaleke expressed hope that, in collaboration with partners, one of the innovations will be to develop a national guide on using sports to promote social cohesion.
“We believe that the sports activities organized by structures like FENASCO can employ tools and models that effectively shape social cohesion while promoting sports,” he added.
Receiving the symbolic hosting baton, the representative of the Mayor of Tiko praised LOYOC for its initiative, which he believes will have a significant impact on the Tiko Municipality and the Southwest Region as a whole. He also conveyed the Mayor’s message, stating that the municipality is prepared to host and support the jamboree from start to finish.
Representatives from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civic Education (MINJEC), UN agencies, Plan International, COSMOS Education, former Indomitable Lions, and various influencers commended the jamboree for its positive impact.
The NAWEWE Sports Jamboree is a flagship youth-led initiative implemented by LOYOC, utilizing sports and recreational activities to promote youth empowerment, peacebuilding, social cohesion, and moral, civic, and entrepreneurial development throughout Cameroon. Its primary focus is on young men and women who have been displaced, as well as their host communities.
Since its inception in 2022, the Jamboree has received patronage and strategic support from the MINJEC, along with the engagement of UN agencies, international organizations, diplomatic missions, private sector partners, former Indomitable Lions, media, and influencers. Having already taken place in Douala, Yaounde, Bafoussam, and Bertoua, the 5th edition in Tiko aims to expand the initiative’s reach across Cameroon.
