It was a spectacular demonstration of sport and culture at the Molyko Onmisport Stadium in Buea on Friday, February 23.
The cultural dances, the pouring of libation, the marchpast, and speeches were the activities that culminated in the launch of the 29th edition of the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope, which kicks off on Saturday, February 24.
It is taking place under the theme “Let’s give peace a chance.”
It was a crowd-polling event made up of the young and the old, women and men.
On Saturday, 602 athletes from 11 countries, including Cameroon, will run up to the summit of the Chariots of Gods and back to the field to check where the winner will be known.
The Cameroonian Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Narcise Mouele Kombi, said during the launch that security measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of the athletes and that of the population.
The launching was also another occasion for the Mayor of Buea, David Mafany Namange, to tell the visitors how hospitable Buea Municipality is. While emphasizing why the team was chosen, he begged those whom he referred to as misguided youths in the bush to drop their arms and embrace peace.
He invited them to not only enjoy the race but to visit tourist sites and savour beautiful cuisines.
The mayor had earlier announced that vehicles would not be allowed on the roadside. The fear grows following last year’s explosives that were planted on abandoned cars along the road.
The President of the Cameroon Athletic Federation, Emmanuel Motombi, thanked the chief, who he said had “cleared dirt” from the town, and now the race is free to take place.
The occasion showed the different dance groups from different parts of Cameroon entertaining the spectators.
