The protesters claim athletes’ game participation dues have not been paid for two years now.
A group of students identified by Prof. Samson Abangma, Registrar of the University of Buea, as “UPSU Pressure Group” have thrown this year’s University Games hosted by the University of Buea, UB into confusion.
Signs of the impending turmoil were already evident from the games’ opening on Saturday May 5, after the inaugural football encounter between host UB and the University of Dschang. The same group of protesters carried a banner and began chanting, “Pay the athletes!”
Apparently, the University of Buea has had some financial difficulties since 2010 and did not pay athletes’ participation dues in University Games in the past two years. It would seem that the fear of carrying over this year’s dues again pushed the pressure group to bring the matter to the fore.
Again on second day of the games on Sunday May 6, the students resurfaced, disrupting the games. According to Fondufe Wongibe Cyprian, Technical Coordinator of the games, “The group invaded the field and created pandemonium. We saw the group jump into the field and prevent one female athlete from participating. They also vandalized every vehicle that was heading towards the stadium and tried to conduct a search on the cars.”
The Registrar of the University of Buea reassured, in a chat with Cameroon Tribune, promised that appropriate measures are being taken to restore calm and give the games the serenity required. The third day of the games yesterday Monday May 7 enjoyed some precarious calm though the group was still sighted at the entrance of the administrative block where they gathered at midday.
In a reaction to the disturbing situation, a midday crisis meeting of representatives of nine universities and institutions was convened by Prof. Bruno Bekolo Ebe, President of the National Federation of University Sports. The various university and institution heads signed a declaration denouncing the disruptions. They condemned the verbal and physical attacks on members of delegations and vowed to continue the games till end. They called for exceptional security measures to curb the situation and urged all student leaders to contribute in restoring peace to the games.
