BY SIMON NDIVE KALLA
Ahead of 38th edition of the International Women’s Day Celebration in Cameroon and Limbe in particular to be celebrated under the theme: “Let’s embrace equity today for a better tomorrow”, the second edition of Limbe Women’s leisure games has been scheduled to hold on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at Aunt Christian Educational Foundation, ALCEF, Amusement Park Mile 4, Limbe tagged Women play and win.
This was revealed to the press on Wednesday February 15, 2023 during a press briefing at ALCEF Mile 4.
Speaking during the press briefing, the promoter of ALCEF, Mrs Ebob Evenye Mbiwan epouse Tanyi
said the environment is more conducive now; the park is planing a second edition to hold Limbe Women’s leisure games on March 4, 2023, hence the drive for registration and sponsorship has been opened.
Promoter of ALCEF Mrs. Ebob Evenye Mbiwan epouse Tanyi speaking to the press
She added that the annual celebration of Limbe Women's leisure games on March 4, 2023 shall be under the auspices of the South West Regional Delegation for Women's Empowerment and the Family. The day, she continued, offers the right timing to prepare the womenfolk for the International Women’s Day on March 8.
“The maiden edition on March 7, 2020 was very successful, recording champions in all 5 games. The COVID-19 global pandemic in 2021 and Cholera Outbreak in Limbe in March 2022 caused the organisation to put off holding the games.” Mrs Ebob Evenye regretted.
Quizzed on eligibility criteria, she said the game is organised for women aged between 18 and 60 years old living in the town of Limbe, in particular and Cameroon in general. She however disclosed that Limbe-Based USA women will be participating in this year’s edition.
Ebob Evenye explained that the games are scheduled to start as from 9 am, and are conceived to hold in two rounds: an eliminatory round in all the games which will hold from that time to midday, a one-hour break from then to 1 pm, and a championship round to pick out three winners per games from 1pm to 4pm.
This year's edition will include games like; Dodging, Seven-Seven, Tabala, Swimming Mini trade fair among others.
Prizes range from FCFA 50,000 + trophy and medal for first position in each game, FCFA 25,000 and medal for first runner up and FCFA 15,000 and medal for second runner up.
Meanwhile on March 4, 2023 for Limbe Women’s leisure games entry will be FCFA 500 for non participating and on March 8 there will be a live old timers’ band galore which entry will be free.
Ebob Evenye explained that registration for participants is ongoing at amusement park Mile 4, Women’s Empowerment Centres in Buea, Tiko and Limbe which is FCFA 3,000 for each game.
The promoter of ALCEF says as of now, they already have 80 participants and are hoping for more before the event. Limbe Women’s leisure games is aimed to create opportunities for fun and bring the women together, “leisure and bonding could be recreated in the Limbe Community by the revival of those childhood leisure games among today's population, using mature women who are familiar with these games, and placing them within the context of a friendly competition.” Ebob Evenye added.
It should be noted that before the advent of Television and Mobile Telephone Communications the world over, children spent their leisure hours gathered in courtyards, playing traditional games passed down through generations.
In Cameroon, games such as Tabala (hopscotch), Seven-Seven, Jumping Ropes "Sizo", Ball Dodging, Swimming and "Tapping Grass" emerged as the most popular games for women.
“These games played an important role in communities because they provided opportunities for bonding, love, friendship, tolerance, respect, togetherness, sharing, teamwork and even networking since kids from other neighbourhoods also came to play. Most of the relationships built during such games lasted a lifetime.” Ebob Evenye explained.
She lamented that the coming of television reduced courtyard playtime, narrowed down attention to just the household or family and brought other vices such as self-centredness, intolerance, unhealthy competition among peers and jealousy.
“These negative values bred violence, deceit, mutual suspicion and mistrust in the community which led to other more dangerous ills such as wars.” Ebob Evenye added.
She however used the opportunity to sell the image of the amusement park Mile 4. She emphasised that the park is open for everyone. Ebob Evenye dismissed the notion that the park is only for kids.
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