NFI Championship 2016/2017 report

The Nkamanyi Football Initiative (NFI) in collaboration with its German partner, the African impulse e.V organized once more a one of its kind youth competition in Kumba, Cameroon for the 2016/2017 season. At the close of the event on April 26, spectators and onlookers were all of the opinion that they had witnessed a one-of-its-kind event in the city.

Like, before every endeavor the NFI engages in, there are planning meetings to ensure that we get all stakeholders on board. Prior to the competition, the NFI managing board sat with the Meme youth coaches to finalize details of the tournament. It was agreed in confirmation with the initiator, Clement Nkamanyi that 3 competitions be held - Male U14, male U16 and female U16. Tournament rules and expected prizes were also agreed upon. To give the competition some added flare and engage other youth groups, athletics were to be introduced on the day of the finals. The theme for the competition this year was “Sports and societal development”. As is usual with the NFI, fairly is always at the forefront. To this end, all teams where invited for a three-day screening process to determine the eligibility of players for the competition. All coaches, including NFI staff and FECAFOOT representatives were present during the screening process. There was great turnout of the youths and teams as all wanted to be part of what has come to be known in Kumba as the "Champions League". Normally Youth competitions are organized in Kumba as tournaments and hardly run for more than a few days. The NFI’s youth competition always run for months and played in league format, reason why it is a championship and not a tournament.

On the 22nd of October 2016, the championship officially started with 8 male U16 and 8 male U14 teams. The championship ran until April 26. 2017. The opening event was very interesting and there was great turnout from the population. The Martin Luther College Balleh dance group entertained spectators during the opening ceremonies witnessed amongst others by the "Quarter head"”, local FECAFOOT president and other prominent dignitaries. At the end of the games there were heavy refreshments for invited guests at a cozy snack in town.

After 28 home-and-away games played under the supervision of profession FECAFOOT referees in the U14 and U16 male categories, the best four teams in each league moved into the Semi-Finals. In keeping with our promise of gender equality, the female championship, although witnessing a slow start due to lack of actors, eventually started on February 10 2017 with six teams competing on 5 playing days (18 matches in all). Here too, the best four teams moved into the Semi-Finals.

By this stage of the competition, the initiator had rallied his friends all over the world, especially those from the city of Kumba and his classmates in Sasse (the SOBA 85 badge) to share in the vision of empowering kids through football. Amongst other support, it was important to us that the teams have the possibility to play with good jerseys. The Kumba Diaspora, in particular, were called upon to offer support in this area, as all teams which qualified for the semifinals had a jersey set. The jerseys were bought in Douala, Cameroon and distributed to the teams by the father of the initiator, Mr. Stephen Nkamanyi, in the presence of the NFI management staff and all coaches who qualified for the award. It is worthwhile to mention the names of the jersey donors:

• - Edmund Ihande (USA)
• - Kongchi Henry (USA)
• - BBS Event (Germany)
• - Jose Fonkeng (USA)
• - Yomba Ngassa (USA)
• - Burnley Nyobou for Njumba Aka CAPO (Holland)
• - John Kenneth (Germany)
• - Armand Ngambo (USA)
• - Donald Weledji - Donwelsytems (Belgium)
• - Julie Bekong - Bekong Family (USA)
• - Adamu Musa (USA)

The following teams competed in the U14 category - Legend FC, Kanjas FC, Nacom FC, GUNNERS FC, NFI(NFA), Wunjeck FC, Godgift, and Super Strikers. After 32 games (7 league playing days each and a home – away Semi-finals, Legend FC and Nacom FC emerged as the finalists. The following teams competed in the U16 category - Kanjas FC, NFI, Brescia FC, Nacom FC, Super Strikers, Arsernal FC, Legend FC and Godgift. After 32 games (7 league playing days each and a home-away Semi-finals, Kanjas FC and NFI(NFA) emerged as the finalists.

The female category saw 6 participants compete in 5 playing days with a total of 16 matches. Kanjas FC, NFI, Brescia FC, Super Strikers, Legend FC and Wunjeck FC. After a home-away Semi-finals, Brescia FC and NFI emerged as the finalists.

On the 26.04.2017, the highlight of the championship was reached, which permitted the people of Kumba to witness a one of its kind event during the close of the NFI Youth championship 2016/2017. Three youth football game finals took place in the presence of over 1000 spectators, amongst them, the delegate of sports and physical education, FECAFOOT representatives, chiefs, presidents of associations and representatives of sport institutions promoting youth football. These finals were in the U14, U16 and female categories. This was an Avant premier in youth football in the town of Kumba.

As early as 12:00 the NFI and Kanjas FC had a thrilling U16 final with Kanjas FC having an edge with a 2-1 victory to win the first ever U16 final. Immediately after the U16final another pioneer final followed – the female youth championship between Brescia FC and NFI. When the final whistle was blown at 16:25, the score was 2-0 in favor of Brescia FC.

At 16:45 the U14 finalists took the stage at the PS field. This time, two new names, legend FC and Nacom FC had to decide who wins the third edition of the NFI U14 championship. As is always the case, there is a winner and loser. Nacom FC edged legend FC to grab the trophy. The spectators were all of the opinion by the end of the game that Kumba could continue to supply talented footballers to the world. You can find more information about the 2016/2017 championship here.

In addition to the football finals, this year’s half time of the U14 finals gave the spectators enough entertainment. Here, the spectators were thrilled with athletics in the 100m male and female races. The winner of the 100m male and female categories each had a gold medal and 5.000FCFA. The runners up hand a silver medals and 3.000FCFA each while the third placed were happy with Bronze medals and 1.000FCFA. Another highlight of this year is the appearance of the new NFI song by Chino Recordz which thanks all who have contributed to the success of the initiative. Spectators had a great time enjoying the music throughout the finals.

At the end of the game, the spectators gathered once more around the trophy area awaiting to see the innovation brought forward by the NFI this time. Would this year be better or was it a one-time show last time? What the population of Kumba saw made them understand that everything is possible everywhere. The level of organization, the preparation of the award area and the stage, the number and quality of awards would always remain in the memory of the spectators who had never witnessed such as extent anywhere in Cameroon and only thought this could only be seen on TV in some foreign European country. The stage was set and well decorated in the NFI blue/white colors, flanked by sponsor Brasseries du Cameroun’s deco. For each award, personalities were called on the stage to join the initiator.

The Laureates for each category were called up. They climbed the stage and collected their medals, certificates and trophies, posed for the press and camera and let out their joy as they moved off stage. The following were awarded:

• - All NFI Organizers
• - All the coaches
• - The best players of all categories
• - The best goal keepers of all categories
• - The highest goals scorers of all categories
• - The man/woman of the match of all categories
• - The fair play team of all categories
• - All participating teams got trophies and cash awards
• - The best three 100m athletics race participants of all categories

Each reception of the trophy from the hands of the initiator and VIPS was greeted with confetti. At the end, the U14 Winner NACOM FC had the advantage of taking home the only NFI shield, marking the highest point of celebration of the event. The euphoria was great. The winners did not disperse. The kids used their newly won trophies and paraded the streets of Kumba, singing and savoring the victory. Passer-bys, parents, relatives and friends joined in their joy by also dropping monetary tokens into their trophies.

Whilst for the youths the games were over, the invited guests assembled in tower of David Hotel for reception to celebrate the close of the season and discuss the future with the initiator. Among the VIPS were the delegate of sports, FECAFOOT representatives, the NFI staff, match officials, representatives of donors and all youth coaches. The initiator had the opportunity to question the status quo of football in the town and present the vision of the NFI. Discussions on uniting the best kids from all clubs after the level of U16 under the banner of the NFI and playing nationally and if possible internationally were to be followed up.

The initiator did not miss the opportunity again to thank the diaspora of kumba for their enormous support of youth football in Kumba through NFI, reiterating the fact that 11 teams were donated jerseys bought by this Diaspora and supplied by the NFI and some of the cash prices were also offered by them. He also praised the support of its German partners, the African impulse e.V and German clubs like MSV Duisburg, Tura 88 Duisburg which have been supporting the initiative. Special thanks were given to the Brasseries Du Cameroun for their technical support during the finals.

The events of the season ended with an exclusive pool party at Elongo Garden. All NFI U14, U16 and female teams alongside the staff and initiator had a splendid moment at the Pool in Elongo Garden, arguably the best hotel in town. This gesture falls in line with our goal to empower kids to play football - we make them have a view of the future and provide impetus for them to want to work hard and achieve their goals.

It has now become an expectation of the youths of Kumba to compete and show off their medals and trophies. They have printed this competition in their mind and they call it their own "champions league".

Next year promises to be more interesting as we are contemplating with our partners to include the U12 group which is another important focus group for the NFI. We intend as well to include other activities, including a discussion forum as in the previous year.

With this competition, the NFI and its German partner, the African impulse e.V, are playing an important role in empowering kids though football, taking them off the street and providing them the chance of a better future.

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