Wilfred Enow agbor
Yaounde Cameroon.
Guiness Cameroon has signed a partnership with the Cameroon Athletic Federation (CAF). The partnership agreement will enable Guinness Cameroon to take over sponsorship of the mount Cameroon race of hope, as was the case some 20 years back.
Guiness SA is planning on making the mount Cameroon Race, more eventful than ever, to give it the colours it deserves and to make it one unforgettable event, as new innovations are already being put in place.
The agreement which took place in the Yaounde Hilton Hotel, was attended by the Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Adoung Garoua, President of CAF, Emmanuel Motombi, President of National Olympic Committee, Kouoh Charles, Secretary General of the Cameroon Athletic Federation , Jacques Derce Mouen, Guiness Marketing Manager Francis Mbongue, Guiness Managing Director Baker Magunda, among others.
In 1973, Jean Ekema emerged winner in the first ever competition of Mount Cameroon race organized by Guinness as “Guinness Race of the Mount Cameroon”, covering a distance of 38.7km in 5hours,47minutes. The brilliant success surrounding the organization of the race left Guinness with an option to make the event international.
Walter Stifter, an English man, became the first winner of the international competition in 1976, as he covered the distance in 4hours, 3700minutes.
Today the Mount Cameroon Race has become an international event that brings yearly, some 5000 visitors to the town of Buea for the event.
During the Partnership agreement, President of CAF, Emmanuel Motombi, affirmed that the come back of Guiness to the mountain Race will bring smiles and therefore, a sign of hope for the athletes.
The Managing Director for Guiness, Baker Magunda, mentioned that Guiness has at its best interest to make Mount Cameroon race, one of the best competition in Cameroon and Africa as a whole.
Baker Magunda added that the race shall be in three parts:
-the first, full race covering a distance of 38.7 km
-the second, half race covering a distance of 29km
-lastly the quarter race covering a distance of 5 km
All 3 parts of the race will be for professionals and only the first three winners in the female and male category of each part will be awarded prizes.
The registration for the mount Cameroon race of hope 2014 will begin on September 15 2013.
To get registered participants must provide the following documents must;
.a medical certificate of fitness from an authorized medical practitioner,
.an engagement form,
.a passport size photograph,
.a license for athletes who have been taking parts in different competitions.
New participants will pay a registration fee of 5000 FRS for the 2014 race. Participants for the last 3 year will register for free and Participants from foreign countries will pay a registration fee of 50 euro.
Registration of participants will be carried out in the athletic federation office, Regional Delegation of Sports and Physical Education, Regional agencies of Guinness Cameroon or distribution centers of Guinness partners.
The official date for the kickoff of the 2014 competition of Mount Cameroon Race has been slated for February 15.
