Chapter 18 - On the promotion of physical education and sport
Physical activity offers numerous benefits to the human body; it enhances well-being, prolongs life expectancy, and reduces the risk of serious illness. As such, physical activities are both a matter of individual health and public health, demanding active involvement from public authorities through advisories and guidance given to the population. Citizens must be encouraged to avoid a sedentary lifestyle—walking, running, taking the stairs, gardening, and more.
Sport, which is a set of physical activities in the form of individual or team games usually involving competition and governed by specific rules, is an important avenue for physical exercise. In Cameroon, however, sports face many challenges that require solutions as part of national Reconstruction, whether concerning mass participation sports (Theme 1) or competitive sports (Theme 2).
Theme 1 – Mass Participation Sports
Mass participation sports are those practiced by everyone, regardless of gender, age, profession, or social status. They are characterized by a pursuit of health and well-being through physical activity done in a fun and leisurely manner. The simple choice to participate takes precedence over performance or the ambition to be the best.
The Problem
It is easily observable in the streets, workplaces, and elsewhere that Cameroonians are generally in poor spirits. More and more people are affected by cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer. While this can undoubtedly be attributed to the difficult living conditions they face daily, it also largely stems from the fact that citizens engage very little in physical activity. Instead, people spend more time in bars and drinking spots, consuming alcohol.
However, the blame does not rest solely on the people. One major reason for the lack of physical activity is the absence of proper facilities for exercise in both urban and rural areas. As mentioned in Chapter 6 on urban planning, Cameroonian cities have sprung up like mushrooms—without any urban development plan.
In Yaoundé, for instance, the only designated public space for mass sports is the “Parcours Vita,” supposedly a “gift” from the Head of State. Yet this facility accommodates barely a hundred people, while the city’s population exceeds three million. Thus, over 99% of Yaoundé residents have no government-provided space for sports.
Some brave citizens resort to jogging in the streets, but they must compete with passing vehicles and other chaotic use of public roads. This issue is not unique to Yaoundé; it applies to all four major cities where the Head of State “offered” Parcours Vita tracks. In every case, these facilities serve less than 1% of the urban population.
Across the national territory, primary, secondary, higher education, and vocational training institutions group together large numbers of young people. Yet, 95% of these schools were built without playgrounds or sports spaces. Simply put: Cameroonians do not engage in sports because they lack the infrastructure to do so.
The Solution
Reconstructing Cameroon must involve ensuring that all educational and training institutions provide dedicated areas for sports. For already existing institutions without such facilities, it will be necessary to demolish surrounding buildings to create space for sports. If demolition costs prove too high, relocating the institution to a more suitable area should be considered.
Beyond schools, sports infrastructure must be built in every residential neighborhood. The solutions proposed in Chapter 6 on urban planning should be implemented, including demolishing unauthorized buildings to create space for public sports. Each municipality must have at least one football or rugby field and an athletics track.
Moreover, every municipality should have sports facilities for every discipline officially recognized by a Cameroonian sports federation, enabling every citizen—wherever they are—to practice the sport of their choice.
Theme 2 – Competitive Sports
Competitive sports involve physical activity where individuals or teams compete against each other under established rules, with the goal of determining the best in terms of performance. Competitive sports have existed in Cameroon long before European colonization, with traditional wrestling being the most prominent.
With colonization came a variety of new competitive sports, and today, Cameroon has more than 50 recognized sports federations. However, competitive sports in Cameroon face serious issues at both national and international levels.
Sub-theme 1 – National Competitive Sports
The Problem
After Cameroon gained independence, competitive sports thrived. They offered grand spectacles to the public, and athletes flourished. Crowded stadiums for football matches or track meets were common. Cities swelled with cheering crowds during cycling competitions. Audiences filled boxing rings, wrestling arenas, and judo or karate events. Athletes were household names and often national heroes.
Today, national-level competitive sports have nearly vanished. Football remains the only sport still organizing competitions, though even these attract few spectators due to the low entertainment value of the matches.
Other sports gather a handful of competitors for a day or two annually, with winners unknown to the general public—since events often occur without spectators. Sometimes, competitions don’t happen at all, yet federation officials submit false reports to the Ministry of Sports, naming fake champions.
This decay is partly due to the lack of mass participation sports—there can be no competitive sports without a foundation of widespread physical activity.
Another cause is the State’s withdrawal from organizing national competitions. Previously, the government established and funded sports federations. Today, these federations are private associations, often hostile to State oversight.
Unfortunately, many of these federations have been infiltrated—or founded—by individuals seeking personal gain rather than sport development. They embezzle State subsidies intended for international events, often in collusion with corrupt Ministry of Sports officials.
Some seek federation leadership as a stepping stone for political careers. Numerous federations exist only on paper—they have no infrastructure, no athletes, and no ability to hold competitions.
For instance, how can there be a Cameroonian Swimming Federation when the country has no Olympic swimming pool? Or a boxing federation without a real ring? The athletics federation doesn’t even have a standard track.
Some federations have more executives than athletes. Others have no athletes at all. These federations are only known during election cycles, every 4 or 5 years, when internal leadership conflicts make the news. Sports coverage in the media is often limited to these power struggles, not actual events.
The Solution
Rebuilding competitive sports begins with rebuilding mass participation sports through accessible infrastructure. These same facilities can be used by sports federations to train athletes and hold competitions.
Additionally, the State must review all officially recognized sports federations and ensure they actually exist and function in reality—not just on paper. This means ensuring they have:
Athletes practicing the sport
The infrastructure to do so
The ability to organize competitions that attract spectators
To qualify as a public service partner, a federation must prove its sport is practiced across the country with sufficient numbers and resources.
The Ministry of Sports must create verification commissions to evaluate whether federations meet these criteria before granting them any public mandate or subsidies.
Sub-theme 2 – Competitive sport at the international level
Participation in international sports competitions allows a country to be seen and known. It is a way to affirm its existence within the global community of nations. A victory in an international sporting competition is a source of national pride and, at times, a demonstration of the country's strengths that can draw the attention and interest of other nations and their citizens.
Through sporting activities and recorded victories, a country can find itself celebrated and elevated on the world stage. For example, victories in football by the Cameroonian national team have given the country international recognition far beyond what its diplomatic efforts alone could have achieved. International success in sports can attract foreign investment, boost tourism, and foster a sense of national unity.
The problem
Despite the benefits, Cameroon’s international sports representation has deteriorated over the years. This decline stems from poor preparation, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of investment in athletes’ training and development. Often, national teams face logistical challenges such as unpaid bonuses, inadequate travel arrangements, and substandard accommodation. These issues demoralize athletes and hinder their performance on the international stage.
Moreover, there is a lack of a clear strategy for identifying, nurturing, and supporting talent from a young age. Many athletes rise through personal effort or private support, with little to no assistance from the state. Talent scouting is rare, and when competitions are organized, they are not consistent or structured enough to produce world-class athletes. Corruption within sports administrations also plays a significant role. Funds meant to support international participation are often mismanaged, and selections for national teams are sometimes influenced by favoritism or politics rather than merit.
The solution
The Reconstruction of competitive sports in Cameroon at the international level requires a complete overhaul of the current system. This includes the establishment of a national sports strategy with a long-term vision, focusing on identifying young talent and investing in their training and development.
Specialized training centers should be created in each region, equipped with modern facilities and qualified coaches. These centers would serve as pipelines to national teams across all disciplines. Moreover, there needs to be a rigorous, transparent, and merit-based selection process for athletes representing Cameroon in international competitions.
A dedicated fund for international competition should be created, with strict oversight mechanisms to ensure transparency and proper allocation of resources. This fund would cover training, logistics, bonuses, and international exposure for athletes. Partnerships with international institutions, clubs, and sports organizations could also help provide opportunities for Cameroonian athletes to train abroad and gain experience.
Finally, international representation must be seen as a service to the nation, and those who carry the flag on the global stage should be honored and treated with dignity. Their victories should be celebrated, and their efforts recognized, not only as personal triumphs but as contributions to national prestige and unity.