By Tata Mbunwe
Seven-year-old Pantampeh Noel caught the attention of journalists and onlookers at Saturday’s test race, of the upcoming Mount Cameroon Race of Hope in Buea.
Despite not finishing among the first three in the Junior Men category where he ran, Joel’s age, size and determination stunned many people who cheered as he crossed the finish line at the Molyko Omnisport Stadium during the preparatory race.
He said he wants to become a champion; he will run during the actual race scheduled for February 25.
The seven-year-old, who will turn eight this February, came from neighbouring Mutengene, and was among 257 athletes who ran in the test race in Buea, Southwest Regional headquarter.
One of the challenges young children like Joel have faced in past editions of the Mount Cameroon Race is age fraud by more mature athletes who sometimes falsify their ages in order to run in the Junior category.
But it will be bad business for these age falsifiers in this year’s race, said Andrew Eteki Njoh who heads the local organising committee.
Tackling age fraud will enable young talents like Joel to acquire what they deserve, as they have been cheated in the past by people who are stronger and older than they.
The maximum age for athletes in the Junior category is 18 years.
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