This was during the launch of the 18^th edition of the university games on May 24, 2015.

The 18^th edition of the university games was launched yesterday at the campus of the University of Yaounde amidst pomp and pageantry. The campus had received a face lift with publicity banners floating everywhere and the sports infrastructure on campus renovated. Even the road leading to the’ Stade de Renouveau’ had been renovated with gravel thrown on the road. At launch time the ceremonial ground was jammed full of people eager to witness the event.

The opening ceremony was full of pump as the fan clubs stole the show as usual with the fan club from each region matching to the tune of the traditional rhythm from their Region of origin and clad in the traditional adornments of the area. As such the University of Bamenda matches with a juju from the North West while the University of Buea matched with a thatched house lighted by solar energy. However the spectre of book Haram was predominant as many university institutions matched with either messages against Boko Haram or demonstrated the resolve of the Cameroonian people to fight against the Islamic sect.

The University of Douala fan club was dressed in military outfit while universities of Ngaoundere , Maroua, INJS and the public works school made demonstration depicting the victory of the defence forces against Boko Haram in line with the theme of this year’s edition of the games “Patriotic drive for growth and development”. The main choreography which was an innovation in itself depicted Cameroonians from the different regions of the country, uniting to fight against Boko Haram and eventually emerging victorious. There was also a minute of silence for the victims of the Boko Haram onslaught.

One of the high points of the ceremony was the lighting of the Olympic flame by Cameroon’s roving ambassador, Roger Milla before handing it over to an athlete. There was a round of applause when the Olympic flame was finally light on the games ground. The ceremony which was attended by six government ministers was animated by the Glorious Voices choir of the University of Yaounde I. There was also an ecumenical prayer from a Muslim cleric as well as preachers from the Orthodox and Roman Catholic religious denominations. The opening ceremony was also an opportunity for the various university institutions to carry out publicity on their institutions, distributing brochures and flyers to the people.