Soccer + Life Skills for 1,000+ Youth in Cameroon

After making the shift to a new program model in 2023, Open Field team began the work of organizing our first boys tournament for the year, specifically targeting boys ages 9-13. 

It was a thrilling tournament where the population of Kumba came out massively to see the smaller youths showcasing their talents and promoting the core value of Open Field in the field of play. The tournament included 12 competing teams divided into 3 groups of 4.

In the opening game, the teams all marked present and the mobilization was at its peak.  Legend FA met with Future Dream in a thrilling encounter which saw legend picking up the day. The first  goal came in the 35th minute of play by a played called Larry and at the 45th minute of play Boris gave the equalizing goal making it level before half time. At the end of the second half, another goal came in from Lendrick to put legend ahead.

The group stages games were really difficult with very few goals recorded. A lot of people who came watching went home satisfied and gave a lot of appraisers. The quarter stages of the competition saw the previous Champion out of it without reaching the semifinals. 

The semi finalists included: 

Brescia FC

Kumba United FC

Nkamanyi FI

Legend FA

Legend played against Nkamanyi and the match ended with Legend picking up the qualification into the finals with a one goal lead which came inn at the last minute of the game. It should be noted that Nkamanyi was the team who knocked out Legend last year in the Semifinals, so this year Legend achieved their glory!

The second semifinal game saw the light of Brescia vs. Kumba united. We saw the game end at zero all and the two teams went directly into penalties. Kumba United won 3-2 to join Legend FC in the finals.

The Boys Championships saw the likes of big dignitaries who gave their praise, especially the Meme Divisional Delegate of Sports. Open Field Cameroon Country Director, Peter Ngwane did the kick off and was accompanied by some of the dignitaries. 

The finals ended up at the penalty spot with Legend FA 2 -3 Kumba United. We are honored to congratulate the new champion, Kumba United FC. Prizes were handed to outstanding youths, teams coaches and referees.

2023 is starting off on the right foot... no pun intended. The team in Cameroon, working closely with community leaders and coaches, have planned a boys' tournament that focuses on PREVENTING VIOLENCE EXTREMISM, BUILDING SOCIAL COHESION, AND PROMOTING PEACE IN THE COMMUNITY.

Curriculum has been developed and coaches trained. Evaluation tools created. Screening of players has commenced. Awareness across town has been built up. And now it's time for kick off!

8 teams will participate in the tournament that will take place over the next two months to engage youth in positive activities amidst the civil unrest in Anglophone Cameroon, which has been going more severely since 2016. Every year on Feb 11th, the nation of Cameroon celebrates Youth Day. There's controversy around the national holiday nowadays, but that is even more a reason why this tournament is important and the theme for conversations and awareness-building is just as important!

Despite the unrest and instability, the Kumba team continues to host these important Soccer + Life Skills programs for youth. After the boys' tournament, the girls will play over the summer holiday. 

Since 2010, we've been organizing and hosting educational soccer competitions for hundreds of youth in Cameroon with the support of the GlobalGiving community. We appreciate your consistent support and look forward to sharing more updates after the tournament!