This was while receiving the team to defend the national colours in the race on Saturday.

The Minister of Sports and Physical Education (MINESEP), Bidoung Mkpatt has urged cyclists to defend the national colours in the Grand Prix International Chantal Biya to strive for nothing short of victory. The Minister made the call while receiving the cyclists to defend the national colours in the race at the conference hall of his ministry on Saturday.

He called on the cycling lions to show exemplary behaviour through solidarity, professionalism, loyalty and patriotism. He asked the president of the federation to ensure discipline before during and after the event to make sure no extra-sporting happening deters them from the main objective of winning the race which he said was gaining prominence by the year. In an improvised speech, Bidoung Mkpatt said the fact that he made the speech while standing was symbolical of the fact that the ministry was also standing behind the cyclists. He offered the flag of the nation to team captain, Tekou Damien Fokou.

The ceremony also saw the president of the cycling federation, Honoré Yossi give a report on the state of preparations, both in terms of organization and sporting aspect. He disclosed that the bonuses of the athletes have been paid already which is rare as in the past athletes only received their bonuses after the competition. Also, he said the fact that he has been received four times by the Minister shows the importance government attaches to the event.

The cycling national team he said had six weeks of external camping and 21 days of internal camping at the expense of government and the fact that the team emerged 5^th in the recent Tour of Côte d’Ivoire was sign that the Cycling Lions were in good shape and could win the race. The team is presently making a reconnaissance visit to the race course so as to be acquainted before the D-Day.

Meanwhile, the last preparatory meeting for the race took place on Thursday, October 8 with the president of the federation declaring after the meeting that everything was ready for the competition to take place. Meanwhile, the final list of cyclists to defend the national colours has been published by the team coach, Dieudonné Ntep.

They are; Tekou Damien, Mbah Hervé Raoul, Guewa Clovis, Tella Arthuce, Lontsi Yannick  , Yemeli Herman, Ngeh Kwefi , Kamzong Abossolo Clovis, Nguimkeng Franklin , Fozing Robert, Simo Sando Dieunedort and Nzeke Géremie Francis. Meanwhile the number of teams to take part in the competition has moved up from 12 to 13 with the announced participation of Rwanda.