The ball was set rolling by the Minister’s representative on Saturday.

The 6^th edition of the holidays football tournament dubbed Etoundi Ngoa Football Vacances kicked off in fanfare at the municipal stadium in Messa-Si-Yaounde. The ball was set rolling for the competition by two female football clubs; Locomotiv and Messa-Si Deux Zero, who delivered a high standard match given that the bulk of the players come from the female elite championship. The lady of the match turned out to be Theresse Abena who hit the back of the net three times and gave victory to Locomotiv who beat Messa-Si Deux Zero 3-0. The second encounter of the day was in the male category pitting the defending champions Onze Sur against last year’s Cup winner, Messa-Si F.C. Both clubs separated on a one-all tie.

The tournament due to run from July 7^th to September 2^nd, brings together some 16 teams in the male category and eight in the feminine category. Feminine football was only introduced in the 5^th edition last year. According to the sponsor of the event, Jean Marie Abouna, who is also the president of the Cameroon Tennis Federation, the tournament was initiated in order to deter youths from vices during the long holidays. The tournament takes place in two formats; championship and cup with prizes awarded to both winners including the best player of the tournament award, highest goal scorer and the fair play prize which is awarded to the team that must have conceded the least number of cards.