Basketball star Mbah a Moute on talent-search in Buea

By Ajongakou Santos & Isifu Wirfengla in Buea

Cameroonian born NBA star Luc Mbah A Moute has begun this year’s basketball-talent-search exercise in Buea, Headquarter of the Fako Division, South West Region. Unlike last year, Richard Luc Mbah A Moute was at the Molyko Sports Complex on Saturday May 9 to personally supervise the pre-selection of basketball youngsters aged between 12 and 18 for his basketball camp back in the United States of America.
    Buea was once again privileged to host the launch of the pre-selection exercise marking the fourth edition. The basketball teenagers who converged on the Molyko Sports Complex on Saturday included students from secondary schools and higher institutions found in and out of Fako, notably the students of Saint Joseph’s College, Bishop Rogan Minor Seminary, the Catholic University Institute of Buea, BGS Molyko and the University of Buea.

    The activity was jointly supervised by the president of the region’s bureau of Fecabasket, Efose Emile Mbella, referees from the region and a high-technical team brought by A Moute.At the end of Saturday’s pre-selection, 31 athletes were retained for further scrutiny meanwhile the hundreds of athletes who were disqualified were advised by Luc to keep working.
    “Keep working, work hard”, Luc advised. According to Mr. Efose, the exact number needed from the SWR can only be known by June but he says probably 12. After touring the shortlisted regions, the final selection will be done in Yaounde.
    The exercise will continue in other regions of Cameroon such as the NW (Bamenda), West (Bafoussam), Far North (Maroua), Littoral (Douala) and Centre (Yaounde).
    The 29-year-old who plays with the Sixers basketball club in Philadelphia manages a basketball camp in the United States of America. He says it is about time he gave to his country what his country gave has given him.
    The Philadelphia basketballer remarked that the players have physical potential, but lack technical training. ‘This may, so because some of them lack materials of the discipline such as balls’, A Moute added. The NBA star recommended constants training and the expertise of professional trainer for the aspiring basketball players as ways to overcome their technical shortcomings.
    At press time, the list of the shortlisted players from the region had not been published, but the organizer Luc Mbah told the Median that of the 30 players who distinguished themselves among the multitude, they will still be narrowed down.
    On his part, Rev. Fr. George Nkeze saluted A Moute’s courtesy, recounted CUIB’s milestones since its creation, assured future ties and urged students to emulate the Bafia native.