NAVETO 2015

Omega Veterans of Bamenda make history
- Promo CFA Yaounde emerge champions
By Che Sam alias Gaucher

When the curtains were drawn last Saturday May 2nd announcing the end of the 3-day sporting and cultural jamboree dubbed National Veterans tournament NAVETO 2015, at the esplanade of the Blue Pearl Hotel at Mile 3 Nkwen, Bamenda, by the DO for Bamenda 111, there was a unanimous thumbs-up from all and Sundry to Omega Veterans for the marvelous job they did as hosts of the tourney. Never in 9-year history of the NAVETO did the hosts accept to bow out before the finals as was the case for Omega Veterans of Bamenda.
    During the semi-finals clash that opposed Omega Veterans to Limbe Atlantic Club (LAC), the latter side was charged with fielding a player with a valid FECAFOOT License, which was a flagrant violation of the by-laws of the tournament.
After looking into the petition by Omega Veterans, the homologations and disciplinary committee sanctioned LAC Limbe to pay a fine of 25.000 FCFA and also loose the semi-final match in question through penalties.
    However, in a rare show of sportsmanship, maturity and solidarity, Tim Eric, President of Omega Veterans and Maitre Njoya Joseph, President of the local organizing committee (L.O.C) after concerting with other members of the L.O.C suggested that LAC should pay only the fine of 25.000 and be allowed to play the finals.

    This gesture by Omega Veterans was unprecedented in the history of NAVETO; it was a rare demonstration of fair-play, camaraderie, and unity and solidarity among gentlemen. Commentators expressed the hope that the show of flexibility by Omega Veterans should be emulated by subsequent hosts of the NAVETO.
    Apart from the sense of fair-play demonstrated by Omega Veterans, the transparent and professional manner in which matches were played on and off the pitch was another lesson worth emulating. Participating veterans were unanimous that the slogan: “our land, our cup” should henceforth be banished from the veteran’s forum and replaced by a new slogan. “Let the better side win in honesty and fairness.”
    This 9th edition of the NAVETO had 12 participating teams including Jouvence Veterans Club (JVC) Yaounde, Mankon Veterans club Yaounde, “Deux Zero” Ngousso Yaounde, Promo CFA Biyemassi Yaounde, Customs Clearing Agents Veterans Club (CUSBU) Douala, Victory Veterans club Douala, Central Veterans Limbe, Limbe Atlantic club (LAC), Sunday Friends Association (SUFA) Buea, Omega Veterans Bamenda, Bamenda Central Veterans and Veterans Training Centre (VTC) Bamenda.
    On the green turf proper, matches were fiercely disputed as all participating Veterans exerted enormous physical and mental strength to come out victorious. The climax was during the semifinal matches that ended in identical scores of one goal apiece. The victors emerged only after post match penalties as Promo CFA triumphed over Limbe Central and LAC Limbe over Omega Bamenda.
    The much expected and highly rated finals therefore pitted Promo CFA Vs LAC. Despite the presence of an uninvited guest, the heavy down pour, the muddy mile 3 Nkwen Stadium was not a hindrance to free flowing champagne football as spectators had a good run for their time and sacrifice. Promo CFA walloped LAC by 3 goals to 1.
    In another encounter described as the “levee de Rideau” gala match earlier that day, Veterans of above 45 years of age from the South West and North West Regions, tumbled their counterparts from the Centre and Littoral Regions by 3 goals to 2. Unable to conceal his joy for a beautiful match a spectator exclaimed: “What a game indeed. West Cameroon don beat East Cameroon today.”
    Other who went home with trophies included new comers, Mankon Veterans who bagged the fair play trophy and Buea-based business tycoon Nganku Eric who won the man of the match award in the 45 years category.
    Before the curtains were drawn on this 2015 edition of the NAVETO, Ngousso Veteran Club Yaounde was chosen as the next hosts.