Prof. Vincent P.K. Titanji, Vice-Chancellor, University of Buea throws light on the organisation of the 15th edition of University Games.
The 15th edition of the All-Cameroon University Games has just ended in Buea. As the host university, what was the organization of the games like?
The games bring to the host university a large number of people. The first challenge is to lodge them. The next one is to feed them and the third one is to provide them with the infrastructure to be able to perform in the various disciplines.
Here in Buea, which is a very historic city, we do not have as many hotels as required. So it was difficult to find adequate hotel rooms for our athletes. This was also because the people were asking for down payment. We then had to negotiate and beg them to accept deposits, for us to pay the rest afterwards. Usually, when the games are organized during the holidays or vacation, we are able to use dormitories and other facilities in schools. This time around, the games came when schools and colleges were in full session. So we could only get a few of our athletes lodged there.
Concerning feeding, we did have very good collaboration with many of the catering companies around. But they too wanted to be paid for their services before-hand. We advanced some money while the rest will be paid afterwards. This was very stressful! But before the feeding and accommodation, the university had to refurbish the sports infrastructure. This too we did with the collaboration of many companies who are in that business. The jobs were advertised, and the companies took over and did them. In some cases, we had to pay them right-away. But in most cases, they are expected to file their claims so as to be paid.
This required that we had to mobilize the entire university, especially the academic and support staff in various committees to work together, prepare and then to deliver the games.
Were there any difficulties encountered during the week-long games?
Yes! There were logistical difficulties especially at the beginning. Some people did not like the accommodation they were given, and then came out, we had to look for alternatives. We did not have complaints about the quality or even the quantity of the food. There was some
confusion at the beginning because a few people did not know their feeding points. But this was quickly corrected.
Of course, you are aware of the disturbance of the march past by the University of Buea Students’ Union (UBSU) students, who called themselves ‘UBSU Pressure
Group.’ That was something that took us by surprise, but it was quickly dealt with. It was condemned by all the heads of delegation, including us the host university. These disturbances actually occurred on the opening day, but were quickly brought under control. The rest of the games went on normally as was witnessed by everyone.
What is your assessment of the various activities as well as the teams’ performances?
The games went normally and the atmosphere was very lively. The turnout was very impressive. Our own local business people here in Buea turned out to occupy the trade fair stands.
The population equally turned out to support the University of Buea football team
when it was playing. The visiting teams and their delegations were very lively. My feelings were that towards the end of the games, nobody was thinking about the initial problems that we had. This was a successful event. This was also confirmed by many heads of delegation and athletes.
UB athletes promised me to do better than in previous games. They actually kept their promise. We won three gold medals, nine silver and five bronzes, making a total of 17. We think that, that is very praise-worthy if we compare with last year when we had only one gold and a total of 11 medals. This is a step ahead and I congratulate our athletes. I equally call on them to start preparing for the next games in Ngaoundere right away.
