Are you curious as to what the most popular sports in Cameroon are and how they came to be? Continue reading to find out everything you need to know.
In Cameroon, sports are not only commonly practiced by the vast majority of the population but encouraged by the country’s national government at all levels. It, therefore, holds significant weighting for residents and visitors alike and has undergone a number of changes over the years as a result of emerging technological advancements that have welcomed wider accessibility and flexibility in the country. If you are interested in finding out what the most popular sports in Cameroon are as well as how their popularity has impacted the social and economic wellbeing of the country on a wider scale, continue reading.
Wrestling
In Cameroon, wrestling is extremely popular with several forms of the sport found in almost every village throughout the country. It has been featured in the country’s initiation rites as well as multiple ceremonies belonging to a number of ethnic groups including the Bakweri and the Duala for centuries. In the past decade, in particular, it has entered the mainstream due to the recent availability of global wrestling events and the growth and development of several world-class Cameroonian wrestlers that have gone on to compete in national and international competitions such as David Tita and Gévrise Émane.
Athletics
In addition to wrestling, athletics is also extremely popular in Cameroon with several of the world’s greatest, and fastest, runners hailing from the country. This includes Françoise Mbango Etone, Esai Adenji, and Paul Kuété. This has also led to the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope being held in the country on an annual basis. It was first held in 1973 and attracts hundreds of runners each year, as well as thousands of spectators, as they race to complete the 40 km, or roughly 25-mile, course ahead of their competitors. The event also tends to trigger a number of cultural events in the region with artists, dancers, and choral groups flocking to the capital to entertain participants and guests.
Football
It is no secret that football is popular in Africa and Cameroon is no exception. In response to this, virtually every village is home to its own football pitch and national matches draw large numbers of spectators committed to supporting their local team as they compete against their rival club. The Cameroon national team is also widely considered to be amongst the best in the entire continent with their performance at the 1990 FIFA World Cup attracting considerable praise. In recent years, emerging technological advancements have also allowed Cameroonians to research the best betting sites in Africa such as the widely respected 10bet platform, and place their bets at 10bet Africa during both minor and major games as the betting platform expands its presence across Africa and its many diverse nations.
Rugby
As one of the fastest-growing sports around the world, rugby has also had a profound impact in Cameroon in recent decades. This led to the establishment of the country’s national rugby union with Cameroon playing in the African qualification tournaments for the 2003 Rugby World Cup in 2001 and finishing first in the final standings to advance to the second round where they finished third in the final standings after losing to Kenya. They also participated again in 2007 when they finished second in the final standings after narrowly defeating Nigeria and losing to Senegal. In response to this growing trend, the country is now home to over 15 recognised clubs and 3000 players that actively take part in the sport on a national level.
Golf
If you are a keen golfer, it may surprise you to know that Cameroon is home to several world-class golf courses in Yaoundé, Tiko, and Kribi. They attract thousands of golfers every year seeking to experience the sights and sounds of the country and sharpen their skills alongside some of the best players the sport has to offer. In 2020, for example, golfers and golf fans from Zimbabwe, Senegal, Nigeria, Cameroon, and South Africa gathered in Yaoundé as it hosted the closing ceremony of the second edition of the Open Golf Charity Elessa Lothian-Sen Foundation. It was organised by the charity itself and saw 26 golfers competing across various professional, cadies, and amateurs’ categories.
In Cameroon, sports are taken fairly seriously with children exposed to several of the country’s most popular sports during their time at primary and secondary school. This is then carried into university with the National Federation for College and University Sports organising school competitions across the region and many sports home to their own organising bodies. In recent years, however, several sports have proven more popular than others with wrestling, athletics, football, rugby, and golf amongst those played by locals and visitors alike throughout the year.
