North West Youth Jamboree Opens With Call for Peace, Unity and Youth Integration

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By Martial Gnoukapasir 

A composite picture of choir members performing with the organizing committee

A renewed call for peace, unity and greater youth integration has marked the opening of the 2026 North West Youth Sports Jamboree, with organisers placing sports at the centre of efforts to bring together young people from across the region.

The regional launch of the event that had already taken place across all seven subdivisions of the region, took place Sunday, August 9, at the Reformed Overcomers Chapel in Bamenda

The regional launching event opened with a choral competition and traditional dance, while other sporting disciplines to characterize this year's sports and cultural jamboree are expected to get into full gear in the days ahead.

Taking place under the distinguished patronage of theTerritorial Administration minister, Paul Atanga Nji, the Jamboree has brought together young people representing all seven divisions of the North West Region.

The chairperson of the Organizing Committee, Mayor Achobong Tambeng Paul, speaking at the launching, indicated that the event is designed to go beyond competition and trophies, using sport as a platform for rebuilding relationships among young people.

“Football, basketball, handball and all the other disciplines involved in this Jamboree are aspects of bringing us closer to one another,” he said, stressing that friendship created through sport can contribute to a more harmonious and peaceful environment.


The 2026 edition has also significantly broadened its scope, with organisers introducing disciplines beyond the traditional football and basketball competitions.

Boxing, weightlifting, choral music, traditional dances, sports for persons with disabilities, lawn tennis, table tennis and swimming are among the activities included in this year's programme.

The expanded programme, according to the organising committee, is intended to make the Jamboree more inclusive by creating opportunities for young people with different talents and abilities to participate.

Responding to journalists as to why the church was used for the regional launch, Mayor Achobong said it was a deliberate move.

He linked the choice to the organisers' longstanding efforts to establish a regional youth sports event, through which, broader challenges confronting communities in the could be highlighted and even addressed.



He cited the Psalms and other passages in the Bible, which emphasized on the need to seek God's guidance for the success of the jamboree and it's objectives

He also associated the initiative with the need to confront challenges such as crime, kidnapping, harassment and other forms of insecurity that have affected communities in the region.

Sunday's event, marks the start of the jamboree at the regional level, after Divisional-level competitions involving just football and marathon had already been organised weeks earlier at the headquarters of the seven divisions therein.

The regional event will bring in champions of the disciplines that took place in the Divisions, to compete for the regional prize and trophies.

The remaining stages will see the qualifiers compete in various disciplines, with the closing ceremony expected within two-three weeks.

North West President of the Cameroon National Youth Council, Mekom Samuel, described the gathering as an important moment for young people across the North West.



He said the presence of youths from all seven divisions demonstrated that, despite the region's challenges, young people remain capable of coming together around common aspirations.

According to Mekom, the Jamboree sends a message that young people from the North West can “belong together, work together and build together.”

He also said the patronage of the Minister of Territorial Administration has encouraged young people to believe that their ideas, talents and contributions have a place in the development of the region.


With football, basketball, handball, tennis, swimming, boxing, weightlifting and other activities on the programme, the 2026 North West Youth Sports Jamboree is shaping up as more than a sporting competition.

Organisers are presenting it as a platform for youth interaction, talent discovery and social cohesion — bringing together young people from communities that do not always have the opportunity to interact.

It is hoped that the sporting encounters will translate into stronger friendships and renewed confidence among young people across the region.

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