3-on-3 Basketball Federation

Family photo at Catholic Church Bojongo

Buea Mayor, CUIB VC crowned as honorary Presidents
By Ajongakou Santos & Isifu Wirfengla in Buea
The Mayor of Buea, Lord Dr. Ekema Patrick Esunge, and the pro-chancellor to the Catholic University Institute of Buea (CUIB), Rev. Dr. George Nkeze have been made honorary presidents of the three-on-three basketball in Cameroon.
    Their contributions to the new street basketball during their recent tournament at Guinness Street Buea was recognized in two separate ceremonies on Thursday 4 in Buea by a national delegation from Douala, led by the president of this new-born, Mr Titi Belate Paul.
    The first to be conferred the title of the honorary president of the three-on-three basketball in Cameroon was the Lord Mayor of Buea, Dr. Ekema Patrick, at 2.30 p.m. in Bonjongo; precisely at the foot of the cradle of Catholicism, West of the Mongo.
    Shortly after receiving his decorative documents, Mayor Ekema led the entire crowd to Saint EngelBert Parish Bonjongo, to tap spiritual blessings from the Holy Shrine of the Catholic Diocese of Buea.
    In an interview with The Median, he said: “I am particularly happy with this award which took me by surprise; it is a good thing not only for me but for the municipality. I think the council law states that when you have been commissioned to a duty, perform it with commitment. For the federation, I thank them much and will try to support with my quota for the growth of my country using the means available, if i cannot find the means, I will give them the advice they will surely need.”

    Graciously present at the event were the chief of Ekonjo village, Mbonde Franly, the pioneer mayor of the Buea municipality Hon. Ikundi Peter Rey-Lyonga, third deputy mayor Mosoko Edward and the regional adviser of basketball, Madam Grace Ewane among others.
    Thereafter, the regional president of basketball, Coach Efose Emile Mbella, piloted the three-on-three delegation to the CUIB campus where the president and pro-chancellor of the entrepreneurial university, Rev. DR. George Nkeze, was honoured in the same tradition capacity as the Lord Mayor as far as the teething discipline is concerned in Cameroon.
    Speaking to The Median, the reverend said, “I am surprised this happened, you know as an entrepreneural university we thought we should support the initiative of Mr. Titi and his new kind of basketball. We in our university strive to highlight innovations. I think I am surprised, happy and it is also a challenge but I will take it and hope to work more for them considering who we are.”
    The coronations were the first for three-on-three basketball in Cameroon. The south west region is indeed privileged to have had its two sons tipped enterprising by the national federation of the maiden domain. Its president Titi Belate Paul who was here three weeks ago for the three-on-three basketball event that took place at Guinness Street for two days did not hesitate to tell this reporter that the awards were the unanimous decision of the national executive without any bias.
    He said he had seen the spirit of love in the above dons, and therefore wants to encourage them as well as making them partners whose contribution would scale the achievements of the federation.
    Thursday June 4 was however immortalized in the south west region as well as a hall mark for three-on-three, perhaps much is yet to come!