The Cameroon Athletic Federation has declared that 16 out of 763 athletes are medically unfit to compete for the 2025 edition of the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope.
This was revealed at the launching ceremony of the 30th edition of the race under the theme, “ Let’s Give Peace a Chance”.
In prelude to the race, an anti-doping test was conducted on all the athletes to test the fitness for the event. It was based on this premises that the 16 atheletes were disqualified.
The race of hope which has been scheduled for Saturday February 22, 2025, will have 13 countries participating. They include; Cameroon, Italy, Costa Rica, Chad, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo , Kenya , Tanzania, Tunisia Uganda, Morocco, and Equatorial Guinea.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, the Minister of Sport and Physical Education, Professor Narcisse Mouelle Kombi expressed satisfaction at the level of preparedness for this year’s Mount Cameroon Race of Hope.
He disclosed that Cameroon is known for its diversity because of the love youths have demonstrated in sports.
The minister thanked the Governor of the South West Region, Bernard Okalia Bilai for the peace that reigns in the municipality and urged those still in bushes to drop arms as requested by President Paul Biya and join the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration DDR Centres.
Earlier, the Second Deputy Mayor of Buea Council, Edward Musonge welcomed all to the city and wished everyone a joyous stay in the municipality as they enjoy the race.
Security Heightens in Buea
As the race is expected to kick off in the early hours of Saturday, security has been tightened in Buea.
Elements of the Rapid Intervention Battalion, BIR, are spotted in major junctions and also parading the streets.
Meanwhile prior to the race, Buea Municipal Police destroyed any make shift business sheds too close to the road to avoid any bomb blast or explosive.
It should be noted that during the 2023 Race of Hope, separatist fighters allegedly claimed responsibility for planting explosives around Bunduma, Buea, that killed at least two people and injured others.
By Hannah Bissong
