The twelfth player

Taking advantage of the summer holidays, Sport Network is organizing an 11-a-side football championship in Boulembé, which will take place on the recently inaugurated sport fields, constructed as part of the project “Improvement of life conditions for Central African Refugees in Cameroon”. 

The inauguration of this eagerly awaited event took place on the 13th of June with the celebration of the first football games. The tournament will conclude on the 25^th of August, with a grand final. 

The tournament has had a fantastic reception from the participating teams, as well as spectators that come together every Thursday and Saturday to support their teams. All of this combines to create a fun, festive and sporty atmosphere that unite families, youth and children, as well as multiple vendors selling; donuts, corn on the cob, bananas, peanuts, meat and drink. 

The level and commitment of the players is very high, always led by their coach, who gives instructions and makes changes from the side of the pitch. However, I dedicate this blog to the 12^th player of each team. They are the most tireless, the most loyal and I have to say the craziest and loudest players of the tournament, and it’s none other than the supporters of each team. The fans can almost feel more involved than the players themselves, they suffer from every decision made against their team, they celebrate each goal as if it was a goal in the final and while the game is played, they continue to debate refereeing decisions. 

The most beautiful thing about sports and football in particular, is the passion that it generates and its ability to mobilize people. And here we are not talking about famous football clubs that spend millions and millions of Euros on players and advertising. We talk about passion that arise in ordinary people, who enjoy living the sport, either as a player or supporter, and who take pleasure in the capacity to unite people through a common passion regardless of age, gender, religion or nationality. And for this we don’t need many resources, just a bit of creativity, which is highlighted in Africa, where players in the tournament lack proper football boots and play in sandals (the ones that are used on the seaside to prevent accidents caused by rocks).

The tournament continues under the watchful gaze of their 12^th player. Stay informed to find out who wins!! 

Find out more about the community championship in Cameroon!

Written by África Coloma a Sport Network volunteer in Cameroon