Rallying Force For Youth

Youth from across Africa are in Cameroon from 16 January to 7 February 2021 for the sixth edition of the African Nations Championship (CHAN). A golden opportunity of this nature was made possible thanks to incessant sacrifices by Cameroon at the behest of President Paul Biya. 
Some critics may be wondering why the event is taking place in 2021 and the official appellation remains that 2020 Total CHAN in Cameroon. The competition that was earmarked for March 2020 could not hold due to the ravaging new Corovirus pandemic that kept the world at a standstill. Since the Cameroon Head of State had taken the commitment to offer the beautiful football jamboree to African youth, it was just a matter of waiting for the global health crisis to subside for the games to start. 
Although the Covid-19 is still at its worse in other parts of the world, especially in Western countries, Cameroon has again proven its ability to handle huge challenges by putting in place prevetive measures in line with prescriptions from the World Health Organisation and local pharmaceutical palliatives that have kept the spread of the disease under control. The outcome has been that since the generalised lockdown observed worldwide from March 2020, Cameroon is able to rally youth from 16 African countries in the presence of the President of the World Football governing body, FIFA, Ganni Infantino to show-case their talents.     
It is therefore not by chance that a special 2020 edition of the publication of the Civil Cabinet of the Presidency of Cameroon better known by its French appellation; “Les Temps des Opportunite” has taken six pages to focus on the CHAN. Of course, the CHAN is being seen as a dress rehearsal for the Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON which Cameroon is equally ready to host next year 2022. The shift in calendar was dictated by the Covid-19 as it had to take place in 2021 but could not due to the global health crisis.    
Thus, Yaounde, Douala, and Limbe are currently vibrating to the rhythm of African youth football after nearly one year of hibernation. From the opener on Saturday 16 January 2021 in Yaounde to the second playing day yesterday 17 January in Douala, the level of excitement among the players and football lovers is evident of the satisfaction that the competition has not only  kicked-off, but is going on smoothly. It could not be otherwise because the quality of infrastructure that Cameroon has placed at the disposal of the Confederation of African Football, CAF, is far above the expectation of the organise...