A memorandum of understanding was signed recently between the Kumba I council and a US private sponsor.

Prince Ekale Mukete and Justin Forzano have officially taken an engagement to satisfy the dreams of the youth of the Meme Divisional capital, Kumba. The areas of interests include football, physical wellbeing, education, livelihood skills transfer, and socio-cultural activities.

Ekale Mukete, Mayor, represented the Kumba I Council, while Forzano, director of the budding US private-sponsored, Cameroon Football Development Program (CFDP), represented his organisation. The accord was signed, 28 June at the Council hall, under the supervision of Kumba I Divisional Officer, Clement Ndikum and named a Memorandum of Understanding.

Clement Ndikum expressed hope that the deal reached between the Kumba I Municipality and the CFDP would yield rapid fruits for the youthful population that needs role models and many openings for their empowerment. The Mayor of Kumba I urged the youth to be available so as to derive maximum gain from the programme. He explained that CFDP would be based in Kumba and will identify sports talents among the youth. The Mayor expressed gratitude to Forzano who initiated the programme and pledged to work hands in glove to make it a success.

Forzano presented a fore taste of what it would entail such as taking the young people into the pitch and classroom so as to identify their talents and build their capacities. “Football brings people together and through it there will be many other opportunities for self-discovery and advancement,” he said. Forzano said they had been to eight schools the previous year and that four more schools will join this year raising the number to 12 schools in Kumba for the CFDP programme. The assistance of the Kumba I Council to Forzano is hailed as a better means to reach the youth who have the same passion and zeal. He announced a football “city cup” competition for Kumba and series of youth conferences.