Patron, Dr. Taniform Peter, Promises more opportunities to Bamenda I Youths as Atugolah FC wins 3rd Trophy
The seventh edition of the Bamenda I Peace and Unity Tournament has ended with a strong call for peace, reconciliation, youth empowerment and community development.
The tournament, organised under the patronage of Dr. Taniform Peter, ended on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at the Bamenda Proximity Stadium in Bamendankwe.
What started seven years ago as a football competition has gradually developed into a broader community initiative, using sport as a platform to promote peace while supporting education, agriculture and social development.
At the centre of this year's edition was the campaign against drug abuse, with the theme “No to Drugs.” The organisers used the tournament to encourage young people to stay away from substance abuse and other activities that could negatively affect their future.
The competition brought together 16 senior teams, alongside Under-17 and veteran teams, giving players of different generations an opportunity to participate while bringing communities together.
For Dr. Taniform Peter, the tournament is about much more than football.
He has continued to use the annual event to create opportunities for young people and encourage peaceful coexistence between villagers and internally displaced persons living in Bamenda I.
The tournament also provided a platform for people from different backgrounds to meet, interact and rebuild community bonds at a time when social relations have been strained by the ongoing crisis in the North West.
Education formed another important component of the initiative.
Twelve ball pickers received FCFA 50,000 each, together with school bags containing learning materials. Every Under-17 player also received a school bag to support their return to school.
Senior and veteran teams were equally provided with textbooks to distribute within their respective communities.
The winning team in the Senior Category received FCFA 1 million, while other participating teams were also rewarded with cash prizes and educational materials.
The organisers extended their support beyond football by providing farming tools and inputs to agricultural groups, reinforcing the tournament's wider objective of supporting livelihoods and community resilience.
The initiative, estimated to have cost about FCFA 50 million, received support from the Fon of Bamendakwe and the Administration of the North West, associations and corporate partners.
Among the partners was the Port Authority of Douala, which supported the seventh edition with football jerseys and educational materials.
On the football pitch, Atugolah FC emerged champions after defeating Nkar FC 4–1 in the final.
The victory brought the competitive aspect of the tournament to a close, but Dr. Taniform Peter used the occasion to look beyond the trophy.
His message was that sport can be used as a tool for peacebuilding, youth development and community transformation.
The presence of traditional custodians, local authorities, community leaders and other dignitaries at the closing ceremony further underlined the tournament's growing importance within Bamenda I.
The tournament has consequently grown from a football event into a community platform where peace, sport, education and development meet.
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