Cricket in Cameroon
Hi friends in this article let us discuss about how cricket was introduced in the African country Cameroon and how the development of the game is taking place.
In Cameroon the main reason or the organization which is reponsible for introducing cricket is Commonwealth Students and "Youth Development Organisation", and this organization introduced cricket to Cameroon as it was a part of their project called as "The Cameroon Cricket Outreach Program (CCOP)".
Victor Agbor-Nso was the person behind this as he was the one who initiated this concept and the main objective of this program was that
i)They belived by using cricket they could promote Commonwealth values and ideals
ii)To bring cricket to Cameroon at grassroots level and
iii)The main purpose ultimately is by using cricket they could attain other youth empowerment and development goals.
The activities of this project was going at a rapid rate and it also gained popularity,and they also decided to contact the ICC Africa region office so that they can take care of more facilitation.
This step by the organization was greatly accepted by the ICC Africa because Hoosain Ayob who was the regional development manager at that time tried to launch cricket during his visit to Cameroon in 2000 and 2001, but he failed.
So this has made the ICC Africa happy and they assued to give the full support to the organization so that cricket can develop in Cameroon.
During this time Cameroon was not even a member of ICC.In December 2004, Hoosain Ayobhe invited Victor Agbor-Nso, and he introduced him to an ICC introductory course which was conducted in in Accra, Ghana and there Victor Agbor-Nso was given training on the basics and also how to implement the game in Cameroon and make the game popular.
Cricket began to grow and itpopularity was also increased,and as a result, moves were also made so as to create a national body so that this National body can control and manage the game.Cameroon's ministry in charge of Sports and Physical Education, sets condition for this and they also proposed the idea for forming such a federation.
As a result of these steps taken,finally on 15th February 2005 a ministerial decision officially recognised the Cameroon Cricket Federation (also called as FECACRICKET) and this forms the sole governing body of the sport in Cameroon, which take cares of development of cricket
After the formation of FECACRICKET,it is setting up and working for its missions and objectives and at the same time CCOP does its job simultaneously to develop cricketers for Cameroon and empowering youth through cricket.
Cameroon first tasted their success in cricket when they got the ICC Affiliate member status on 29th June 2007 in an Annual General Meeting held at London and credit goes to FECACRICKET as it worked very hard to meet ICC guidelines and also achieved it.
Cricket in Cameroon is developing very fast and for this FECACRICKET conducts domestic competitions.The main Domestic competitions includes
i)National Cricket Cup final
#)This the greatest event in Cameroon cricket competition
#)This is personally presided over by the Cameroon Minister for Sports and Physical Education
#)The British High Commission in Cameroon usually present the trophy for this competition
ii)The Cup of Cameroon competition
#)This includes four teams
#)They play on knockout basis
#)Teams will be increased from 4 to 8 or 10
iii)The National Championship League
iv)The national inter-schools tournament
They have a long term goal and the FECACRICKET development program entitled "VISION 2013" which has as global objectives and these objectives includes
i)To make cricket popular in Cameroon and carrying it to the grassroots
ii)To improve the quality of the game already being played by Cameroonians
iii)Acquisition and development of equipment and infrastructure
iv)Education on coaching, administration and umpiring and scoring
v)Stepping up media coverage, public relations
vi)Sponsorship drives for cricket.
vii)To raise the funds for the development
The development program features key events which targets both adult and junior cricket in Cameroon and also it includes the taking the game to the School level so that they can learn the game from their young age.
Apart from this they also plan in youth cricket clinics and also holiday cricket camps,and they train courses for coaches, umpires, scorers, administrators and other stakeholders and the partnership with the Cameroon Cricket Outreach Program.
Apart from the Men's cricket steps were taken for the Women's cricket also and in 2005,Cameroon's cricket development program also wanted Women's cricket as an integral part and as a result of this women and girls were also afforded with some benefits which includes free registration into the federation and cricket teams,and also giving incentives for creating female teams, along with specialised training.
Apart from this special prizes were offered to outstanding female cricketers, and these are given during the Cup of Cameroon finals and the annual cricket awards gala nights.
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