MOUNOUNA FOUTSOU :: “organising sporting, socio-educational and cultural activities which help to strengthen social ties is becoming increasingly necessary for our society, faced nowadays with numerous events that threaten its peace and stability”

The speech of the Ministry in charge of Youths and civic education at opening ceremony of the the National Extracurricular Sports Games.

Yaoundé- Mfandena Annex Stadium No. 1, 17 December 2023

CIVIC-MINDEDNESS TIME

        Fellow Members of Government and Dear Colleagues;

        Representatives of Diplomatic Institutions ;

        The Governor of the Centre Region;

        The  Yaounde City Mayor;

        Representatives of Partner Institution and Organisations;

        Heads of Delegations;

        Dear Guests;

        Dear Supervisors and Athletes ;

        Ladies and Gentlemen, All Hierarchy duly respected;

        Dear Youth,

What an honour and a great delight for me to take the floor on this memorable day, in this magnificent arena of the Mfandena Omnisports Annex Stadium No.1, on the occasion of the solemn opening ceremony of the 1st ever edition of National Extracurricular Sports Games, abbreviated to JENASESCO, slated for 17 to 22 December 2023 in the City of Yaoundé.

Allow me first and foremost to extend my warmest thanks to my fellow Members of Government who have agreed to enhance the splendour of today’s ceremony with their presence, despite their busy agendas and numerous obligations.

I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Governor of the Centre Region for all the security measures taken to ensure that all the delegations from the 10 regions enjoy their stay in the Capital City.

Allow me to also express my gratitude and thanks to the Yaoundé City Mayor for his kind words of welcome to all the personalities in attendance, as well as to the delegations, and for agreeing to host these Games in his Municipality.

Let me also use this opportunity to commend once again the commitment of the Agencies of the United Nations System, and the partner companies and organisations which, through their many and varied contributions, have worked hand in glove with the Government to ensure the successful organisation of these Games, – the first ever edition of the JENASESCO in the country’s history.

I also wish to ask the various Regional Heads of Delegation to convey to the Governors, the Presidents of the Regional Councils and all the partners and active forces of their respective Regions, my gratitude and congratulations for the mobilisation of the material, financial and human resources that contributed to the realisation of this activity. This voluntary, civic and patriotic participation is an example to be followed by the entire national community.

        Ladies and Gentlemen;

        Dear Young Competitors

Remember that this year, the Youth Connekt Cameroon programme, which aims to connect young people to each other, to their role models and especially to opportunities, has just blown out its fourth candle. Now that this Presidential initiative is beginning its expansion phase following its pilot phase, it is offering a new range of opportunities for out-of-school youths. These are the JENASESCO competitions, organised in the wake of the third edition of the International Exhibition for the Promotion of Youth Entrepreneurship (SIPROME-JEUNES), which came to a close last Friday.

Speaking of the JENASESCO competitions, it is worth pointing out that sports is a great vector for unity and national integration. It fosters the intermingling of people from different backgrounds, strengthens social cohesion, solidarity, mutual acceptance and tolerance. It breaks down any social, cultural, linguistic, ethnic, political and religious barriers likely to stand in the way of the living together in harmony so dear to every community.

Thus, organising sporting, socio-educational and cultural activities which help to strengthen social ties is becoming increasingly necessary for our society, faced nowadays with numerous events that threaten its peace and stability. It is in this perspective that the Government of the Republic, through the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civic Education, has initiated the holding of the National Extracurricular Sports Games shortened to JENASESCO, the first edition of which is held under the theme : “Development of Sports Clusters: Stakes and Opportunities for Youth Empowerment”.

These Games are thus the proof of the willingness of the President of the Republic, Head of State, H.E. Paul BIYA, to ensure an inclusive environment for Cameroon’s youth, and to provide a relevant, timely and meaningful response to the perceived discrimination of out-of-school youth in our sporting and cultural movement. Henceforth, non-formal education youths will have a space for sports, cultural, moral, civic and entrepreneurial rearmament where they can meet and showcase their talents. What an ideal opportunity for youths to develop their full potential and talents, which in so any cases remain untapped. JENASESCO Games are therefore an opportunity for out-of-school youths to showcase their potential and make their dreams come true. It is fitting to hail this innovative initiative, which puts an end to the frustration endured by out-of-school youths, who in the past contemplated their peers during sporting and cultural events.

The JENASESCO GAMES therefore seek to involve out-of-school youths from youth associations and movements in sporting, cultural and entrepreneurial competitions, for their development and socio-economic integration. These Games instil in out-school youths, the spirit of commitment, the fighting spirit and HEMLE that has always characterised the Cameroonian youth, just like our great sportsmen and women, role models for young people who have successfully showcased their genius and inventiveness in a variety of fields.

The agreement of planetary sports Superstar  Francis NGANNOU, of success stories Jonathan NYEMB, and of two-time Olympic champion Françoise MBANGO respectively as patrons and ambassador of this first edition of the National Extracurricular Sports Games, are an extraordinary source of inspiration and motivation for youths, not only of Cameroon, but of the whole world.

Also, in the run-up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) slated to be held in SAMOA on 21 October 2024, this international organisation, which dedicated the year 2023-2024 as the “Year of Youth” has, through its Secretary General, offered a ball to MINJEC to encourage the FOOTBALL FOR GOOD initiative, meant to promote the values of peace and social cohesion among youths brought together around the game of football.

        Dear Young Competitors

Over the next five (05) days, you will be competing with your peers in a variety of sporting, socio-educational, cultural and entrepreneurial disciplines, in a bid to showcase your genius and win prizes in the process.

I therefore urge you to be self-disciplined, persevering, self-sacrificing, respectful of your opponents, fair-play minded, civic-minded, tolerant and to behave in a dignified manner, in order to earn the respect and trust that Cameroon’s leading sportsman, the President of the Republic, His Excellency Paul BIYA has placed in you, by offering you a great “gift”, which is this unprecedented gathering at the end of 2023.

Be therefore role models for other youths in your localities and the nation as a whole, so that:

        Long live the Cameroonian Youth!

        Long live the National Extracurricular Sports Games;

        Long live the Cameroon Sports Movement;

        Long live Cameroon and her illustrious President of the Republic, Head of State, His Excellency Paul BIYA.

             Thank you for your kind attention.