Now included in the annual calendar of the Cameroon Athletics Federation (FCA), the 2024 edition chicks aim to increase the number of athletes during the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles (USA) through good detection.
More than 200 athletes aged 8 to 14 from several training centers attended this 4th edition of Poussinades. Including parents. The competitors were keen to surpass themselves. This is the case of Aminou Moustapha Mohammadou. The 12-year-old Cnps athlete was able to win the 1000 meters. “It was a little difficult for me because there were my opponents. As usual, I was first. Today (August 24…Ed.), he thought they could be first ,” he rejoices. “My secret is to take a long stride, swing your arms, not tighten too much, lift your legs well, not look too far behind and lift your head and run,” he explains. During this event, the champion was followed by Kynsler Emmanuel Ambotekoufo. This runner from Warriors athletics du Noun occupied second place despite adversity. Running for his very first time on the track, the high school student promises to rectify the situation during the next competition. Her teammate Mariam Chintouo among the girls took second place in the 1000m. Outside of running, they performed the long jump and vortex throw.
“We can only be happy for this edition,” rejoices Josée Dussoulier, promoter of Poussinades. “It is with great joy and a duty that the federation also comes together to support,” adds Charles Kouoh Kotté, Secretary General of the FCA. This edition had special touches. “There are a lot of innovations like the vortex throw, the walking exhibition. There are a lot of performances that have increased, for example in high jump where we have 14 year old children who reached 1m45, long jump with more than 4 meters,” she mentions.
Olympics in sight
“After this edition, we will select the best. Those who have performances to send them to the different centers to be more supervised. It is a form of detection because the Cameroonian athletics federation has a database and those who are 15 years old will join the civil clubs to continue the supervision,” Ms. Dussoulier clarifies the work that will be done after the competition. This initiation aims to follow potential athletes capable of qualifying and having a large number of participants at the next Olympics. “This is the start of preparation for the Olympic Games. We still have four years and Yassa would like to emphasize that our participation in the next Olympics will be greater. We go from 6 athletes nationally to 20. This is really our challenge,” projects Jean Daniel Ngapout, promoter of the Warriors athletics club in Noun.
**Iya ibrahima ( intern) **
