Benjamin Didier Banlock (L) playing chess
A new chapter has opened at the Cameroon Chess Federation (FECADE) with the coming of a new leadership headed by seasoned sports administrator Benjamin Didier Banlock. Banlock's vast experience and management knowhow shone bright over the weekend as FECADE organised successfully activities marking the launch of the 2026 sport season and a Unity Tournament.
The event held at the Yaoundé Multi-purpose Sports Complex, presided over by Pedagogic Inspector of Physical Education Dieudonné MBARGA, who represented the Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Professor Narcisse Mouelle Kombi.
Winners at the podium
Only two months into office, the new FECADE executive has hit the ground running with a feat which rekindles hope and opens horizons for chess, a discipline that has had to struggle in the country since its inception 14 years ago.
Glamourous Opening
A glamourous opening ceremony set the tone of events last Saturday 30 May 2026. One of the most captivating moments was a vibrant parade that featured uniformed participants waving symbolic flags. The elegant procession sparked excitement as participants took turns to bow in front of distinguished guests and officials.
The parade also offered reigning champions from the previous season an opportunity to showcase their trophies and relive their achievements before an enthusiastic audience of parents, coaches, referees, chess enthusiasts and supporters. It was a fitting celebration of FECADE’s rapid growth and growing influence within Cameroon’s sporting landscape.
Representing the Minister of Sports and Physical Education (MINSEP) during the opening ceremony, Pedagogic Inspector of Physical Education, Dieudonné MBARGA, praised FECADE’s leadership for its outstanding organisation of the event.
“We congratulate the President of FÉCADE. In terms of organization, we are operating at international standards. The parade was impressive, including the preparations related to the game. It reflects a new vision that the President of FÉCADE is currently implementing,” MBARGA remarked.
“…We believe that, with the momentum provided by the new president, [chess] will reach new heights. We hope these will be heights of excellence and achievement, and that this intellectual sport will attain the highest levels, just as the Scrabble Federation has established an international reputation,” Mbarga hoped.
While reaffirming the MINSEP’s continued support for the federation’s initiatives, Mbarga encouraged fair-play, discipline and sportsmanship throughout the competition.
The ceremony attracted an impressive gathering of distinguished guests, including Senator Seidou MBOMBO NJOYA, presidents of various national sports federations, the Director of the National Football Academy of Cameroon (ANAFOOT), Carl Enow Ngachu, the President of the Gabonese Chess Federation, and several national and international dignitaries.
Chess presidents of Gabon, Burundi, DRC, Tchad, CAR, attended the Unity Tournament. In fact, out of the eight (08) counterpart African countries, six (06) were represented while the others sent congratulatory messages.
Winners Emerge after Fierce Competition
The Unity Tournament played host to about 120 players including foreigners from the aforementioned countries and 35 FIDE Elo-rated elite competitors. From the early hours of the afternoon down to the night, players from across the country and beyond competed fiercely in the Benjamin, Cadet, Open Mixed, Women’s and Veteran categories. The tournament delivered exciting encounters, strategic brilliance and unforgettable moments as participants battled for ranking points and prestigious honours.
Following hours of intense competition, the tournament culminated in the much-anticipated prize-award ceremony, where the best performers were rewarded for their excellence.
In the Open Mixed Category, Noumbo Guepi Vidal led the podium, cashing in 250,000 FCFA, followed by Donkeng Hussel and Ntamatungiro Wilfred who received 150,000 FCFA and 100,000 FCFA respectively.
In the Women’s Category, Ngo Sohna Carole came first (150,000 FCFA), Mbassa Merisse Joyce second (100,000 FCFA) and Wefang Lucrèce third – 50,000 FCFA.
The Cadet (U-17) Category was topped by Kamga Fondjo – 100,000 FCFA, then Ngangoua Nana – 75,000 FCFA and Tene Ebosse – 50,000 FCFA.
Bongo Akanga Barth̩l̩my Р100,000 FCFA, Chadian Mahamat Hachim Р75,000 FCFA and Ebongue Emile Р50,000 FCFA won the Veteran Category in this order. Special Awards were also dished out.
Hannah Kone lifted the Youngest Female Player Award (50,000 FCFA), Sitamze Fabien Stéphane – Youngest Male Player Award (50,000 FCFA), Central African Republic competitor Poudjoua Gamba Abigaëlle won the Kirsan Friendship Prize (50,000 FCFA) while Kasongo Olivier of DR Congo bagged the Passion and Determination Prize (50,000 FCFA).
Winner Ngo Sohna Carole said she was happy to have won this competition.
“It was not easy at all. But thanks to a bit of grace, I emerged victorious. I acknowledge that my rivals did well too," Sohna acknowledged.
She called on women to break down stereotypes, reminding them that chess is a sport open to everyone.
On his part, Noumbo Guepi Vidal said: “I am proud of this title; it motivates me to work even harder. I dedicate this trophy to my late mother, who always supported me.”
It should be noted that the winners also received kits and gadgets from MTN Cameroon, one of the tournament’s official sponsors.
Chess’ Time to Shine
FECADE President Benjamin Didier Banlock has taken a firm commitment to remove chess out of the doldrums.
"We want to make things happen. We want to go places! We want to bring a new perspective to sports, and a different way of respecting athletes and practitioners of chess,” Banlock said.
At the same time, he is aware that for change to happen, the methodology must change.
“We need to be administratively efficient, to show and send good signals that can attract partners and sponsors who would support this new vision"
Talking about partnership, the FECADE leader has matched words with action by signing a technical convention with the chess governing body of Moscow. Immediately after his election, Benjamin Didier Banlock travelled to Russia for a contact visit, during which he shared his vision for FECADE.
Banlock believes Cameroonians got great potential in chess, reason why he is championing the drive to enterprise and harness these hidden pools of talent.
Cameroonians are holders of a gold medal from the Chess Olympiad, the world's largest chess competition, which is organized every two years.
The country is expected to defend this title at the next edition scheduled for September 2026.
“We have also seen young talents distinguish themselves on the international stage. Young student Lucel Donking, for example, won the International Tournament of Gabon,” Banlock revealed.
These achievements send a strong message according to which chess is making progress and deserves greater attention.
“Bit by bit we are making chess known in our country, taking it to other towns apart from Yaoundé and Douala. This is why we have envisaged a country tour that starts in Guider in the Far North,” Banlock detailed.
FECADE would pay particular attention to schools and universities, especially because there are world championships for both school and university students.
Banlock doesn’t doubt he will succeed because “we have a good working relationship with the titular ministry [of sports], frank, respectful and serious.”
Once the game flourishes at home, Banlock noted, FECADE would now look to also contribute its quota to building the game in Africa and the World.
Square Peg in a Square Hole
Vision bearer Benjamin Didier Banlock is tapping from his extensive reservoir of experience in the sports business, notably leadership, administration, marketing, management, and development, as well as his boundless human network to grow chess in Cameroon. The right person in the right place!
For now, FECADE boasts of nine (09) registered chess clubs only. But based on growing interest and applications, Banlock’s team is convinced the next Unity Tournament would count at least 50 clubs.
"We have confidence in our capacity to invite Cameroonians, who extremely intelligent people, to come and discover the best game of strategy in the World," Banlock asserted.
The former Secretary General of the Cameroon Football Federation was elected on April 11, succeeding Elie Tanko. With more than 30 years of experience in the sport development, he intends to defend chess players, provide opportunities for learners, popularize the discipline, and ultimately make the Cameroon Chess Federation financially self-sufficient.
It should be noted that apart from being a former chess player who represented Cameroon at the 2010 and 2018 Olympiads, Banlock has served as adviser to the former President of the International Chess Federation, Kirsan Ilyumzhino
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