'Tropical Amissa Bongo': Cameroon intensifies preparations

Cameroon has stepped up preparations towards the upcoming cycling tour of Gabon christened, Tropical Amissa Bongo. In order to enable the Cameroonians cyclists to prepare well for the competition, the Cameroon Cycling federation on January 9th organised a race dubbed ‘training race’ between Mimboman and Elat along the Yaounde-Akonolinga highway.  The 180km race was won by Mbah Hervé Raoul, followed by Guewa Clovis in the second position and Tekou Damien in the third position.

The the bearer of the yellow jersey of the cycling tour of Cameroon, Kamzong Abessolo appeared in the 12th position due to multiple mechanical breakdowns. According to the president of the Cameroon cycling federation, Honoré Yossi, the competition was to make up for the cancellation of the Grand Prix Seme Beach hotel which was to serve as preparation for the Cameroonian cyclists. He announced that another competition will take place before the beginning of the tropical Amissa Bongo.

It is worthy to say, only six of the 12 cyclists present in camp, will defend the national colours at the Tropical Amissa Bongo which will take place from January 18th to 24th, 2016. On the organisational side, the ministry of Sports and Physical Education has been multiplying meetings with officials of the Cameroon cycling federation to make sure the incursion into Cameroon takes place hitch-free. The second preparatory meeting took place on January 6th under the supervision of the new Secretary General of the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education, Oumarou Tado who was representing the minister.

It came out from that meeting that there will no longer be two incursions into Cameroon but one and that the lap which was to take place at the junction of three frontiers between Cameroon Gabon and Equatorial Guinea was cancelled owing to differences with Equatorial Guinea. The Minsep scribe called upon members to the local organizing committee to make sure Cameroon lives up to its legendary hospitality. Aspects under review had to do with lodging, reception, protocol, communication and security.

In related news, the Grand Prix Seme Beach hotel which was supposed to mark the opening of the season was banned from taking place by the Senior Divisional Officer for Fako after it had been approved by the Divisional Officer. The ban follows a complaint from the suspended South west regional League president that the holding of the event could lead to public disorder. Latest information says the race has been postponed to February 6th to give time to the titular ministry of Sports and Physical Education to arbitrate on the matter.