By Walter Wilson Nana
Buea, Cameroon
The 18th edition of the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope has come and gone but the star this time around was 25-year-old winner of the female category, Yvonne Ngwaya.
The mountaineer from the Northwest Region, donning jersey number 311, did the race in 5 hours, 32 minutes, 23 seconds. Winning the female category of the Race of Hope 2013, brought to the fore her fifth consecutive wins. She performed same fit in 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009.
Though the ‘Queen of the Mountain’, Sarah Liengu Etongue, with jersey number 339, from the Southwest Region, came in the second position, doing the race in 5 hours, 44 minutes 41 seconds, Ngwaya has beaten Etongue’s initial record of winning the Mount Cameroon Race, in the female category of four consecutive wins (from 1996 – 1999).
Yvonne Ngwaya in the arms of Red Cross officials after crossing the finish line
At the third position was Lisette Ngalim Narila, aged 25, from the Northwest Region, with jersey number 317, did the race in 5 hours, 46 minutes 5 seconds.
In the male category, Godlove Gabsibuin made a double by winning the race for the second consecutive time. The Bricklayer from the Northwest Region with jersey number 022, aged 25 did the race in 4 hours, 31 minutes, 19 seconds. He was closely trailed by Divine Tiku Enyung, born 1986 in the Northwest Region, who did the race in 4 hours, 31 minutes, 57 seconds. Regular in the race and two times winner (2007 and 2008) Januarius Bunkinyung, came third, donning jersey number 149. He did the race in 4 hours, 33 minutes and a second.
The aforementioned winners bagged home cash prizes worth FCFA 3 Million for the first positions, FCFA 2 Million for the second positions and the third positions FCFA 1 Million.
Sarah Liengu Etongue helped by Red Cross Officials after crossing the finish line in the second position, female category
According to information from the Cameroon Athletics Federation, the 4th – 30th winners in the female category also had some cash prizes and same from the 4th – 50th winners in the male category.
In the Veteran Category, who are expected to do a portion of the race course (from Molyko stadium to Upper Farms), saw Emmanuel Dobgima Bauket, born 1972, from the Northwest Region, came first for the men. He was seconded by Issa Tambaya from the Littoral Region. At the third position was Gaston Nguimkeng.
For the women, Eunice Nfor Mundi born born 1964 and resident in the Southwest Region came first. At the second position was Ivoline Maiben, born 1961 and resident in the Northwest Region.
Winners of the male category, Gabsibuin (M), Bunkinyung (R) & Tiku (L)
In the Junior Category, who did the race from Molyko Stadium to Hut I, 19 year-old Elvis Etame Tarh from Donga Mantung Division, Northwest Region came first for the male. At the second position was Silas Tata, still from Donga Mantung. Olivier Kenjong Meba from the Centre Region came third.
For the female, Carine Tatah Wiysenyuy, 17 came first and seconded by Mary Grace Wirba Dzekenyuy, 16. They are all from the Veteran Athletics Club, Kumbo, managed by three times champion of the Mount Cameroon Race, Thomas Tatah (1992, 1996 and 1998).
Elvis Etame Tarh, winner, Junior Category
For the male Relay Teams, Makossa Banana Athletics Club of CDC Tiko came first. They are composed of Ernest Bakari Lawan Ibrahin Bobbo and Mamouda Muhamed. The Police and Army Athletics Club in Yaoundé, fondly called FAP, came second. The members include; Samuel Lyonga Essombe, Oumarou Muhamadou and Everet Gabsibuin. The Buea HYSACAM Athletics Club of Paul Guimo Vishiti, Suleymanou Oumarou and Mohamadou Adamou came third.
New Twist
The Southwest Regional League of Cameroon Federation of Sports for the Visually Impaired joined the Cameroon Athletics Federation to introduce the blind category in the race. For the first experience, running from the Molyko Stadium to Clerks Quarter,
Winners of the Blind category and their guides mount the podium for their prizes
Verwood Mbate of the Buea Bulu Blind Centre came first. Nelson Suh Ngwa, 23, from Bomaka, Buea was the second and 18-year-old Godlove Sakwe came third. The fifteen blind athletes were accompanied by their respective guide.
FCFA 5 Million For Sarah Etongue’s House
At the close of the 2013 Mount Cameroon Race of Hope, Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Adoum Garoua announced that the government via his ministry has contributed FCFA 5 Million to support the construction of a house for seven-time winner of the Mount Cameroon Race, Sarah Etongue by the Cameroon Athletics Federation.
Januarius Bunkiyung talks to the press after coming at the second position
Reacting to a worry that the said house for Etongue has been overdue, Garoua said; “The government is only supporting an initiative that the Athletics Federation took. It is a commitment they took, so, they should go ahead and do it to the end.”
Reactions
The Sports and Physical Education boss, Garoua expressed satisfaction for the 2013 Race of Hope, calling on the organisers to continue putting in more of human quality and capacity and not the deep rooted interest on money. “It is the quality of people involved that will make the race better and better and not the amount of money involved,” he advised.
Jacques Sebastien Mbous, President, Cameroon Athletics Federation
The Southwest Regional Governor, Bernard Okalia Bilaï said the people of Buea showed their legendary hospitality by coming out to support the athletes and the general organisation of the race. However, he enjoined the officials of the Buea Omnisport Stadium to develop a culture of maintenance and not wait for events.
Sarah Etongue appealed to all women not to stall their talents, saying a God given talent must not be wasted or stifled. “Bring it to the fore for others to benefit. My force comes from God,” she added.
Godlove Gabsibuin gave thumps up to this year’s organisation, comparable to last year, adding that thanks to the Father’s advice, he has been able to build two houses with the money he won last year and bought six cows. “We’re yet to establish the plan for this year’s money,” he said.
The President of the Cameroon Athletics Federation, Jacques Sebastien Mbous saw in this year’s race a better organisation from that of the past, promising that things will get better.
