The sixth edition of the CICI Championship has kicked off in Bafut, Mezam Division, in the North West Region, bringing together eight football teams in a month-long competition aimed at promoting unity, youth engagement, and awareness against drug abuse.
The tournament, which began on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at the Mankaha Community Field under the theme "United by the Game," is organized by Ndonwi Derick Shu in memory of his late relative, Asoh Concilia (1991–2021), popularly known as CiCi.
The championship was established in 2021 following Concilia's death in China. It also honours the legacy of her father, Pa Shu Petermuno (1926–2020), founder of the Zoological Snakes Research Centre, the first facility of its kind in Central and West Africa, which attracted researchers and tourists to Cameroon.
Initially limited to Njinteh Quarter during its first four editions, the competition expanded to the Bujong Village Community in 2025 and now, in its sixth edition, includes teams from across Bafut.
Eight clubs are competing this year: Manjinikong FC, Mbebali FC, Nchum FC, Bawum FC, Mankaha FC, Njinteh FC, Nsoh FC, and Njibujang FC.
The opening fixture saw defending champions Mbebali FC lose 4-1 to Manjinikong FC before hundreds of spectators at the Mankaha Community Field.
Organizers say the tournament, which carries a prize of FCFA 1 million, will run until August and is designed to provide young people with constructive activities during the school holidays while strengthening social cohesion in a community affected by years of conflict.
Beyond football, this year's championship has incorporated a public health campaign against drug abuse and the consumption of sachet whisky. During the opening ceremony, organizer Ndonwi Derick Shu toured the venue to sensitize spectators and prohibited the sale of drugs and sachet whisky within the competition grounds.
Former Bafut Mayor Langsi Abel praised the initiative, urging players to uphold fair play regardless of match results. He also donated funds to enable the opening-day teams to purchase first-aid boxes after observing the absence of basic medical equipment during the match.
Retired medical doctor and Bafut elite Dr. Shu Walters used the occasion to warn young people about the dangers of drug abuse and excessive alcohol consumption, particularly sachet whiskey. He called for anti-drug awareness placards to be displayed throughout the tournament and proposed that participating teams parade with the messages before matches to reinforce the campaign.
Match Day Two is scheduled for Thursday, July 30, 2026, at the Mankaha Community Field. Nchum FC will face Bawum FC at 1:00pm before Mankaha FC takes on Njinteh FC at 3:00pm.
Since its creation, the CICI Championship has grown from a neighbourhood football competition into one of Bafut's largest grassroots sporting events, using football to honour the memory of two family members while fostering peace, community participation, and youth development.
@Laarry Times
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