The city of Buea recently played host to the much-anticipated Zone C University Games, bringing together higher education institutions from across the SouthWest and Littoral regions to compete in a spirit of unity, sportsmanship, and excellence. The official launch ceremony was a grand occasion chaired by the Minister of Higher Education, in close collaboration with the Minister of Sports and Physical Education. The event also witnessed the esteemed presence of the Governor of the Southwest Region, alongside promoters of higher education and other key statesmen, signaling the government’s continued commitment to promoting youth development through sports.
This year’s games featured a wide array of sporting disciplines ranging from athletics, football, volleyball, and basketball to judo, handball, and more. The games served as a platform to promote talent, discipline, and healthy competition among students of participating universities.
A standout participant in this year’s edition was the Biaka University Institute of Buea (BUIB), which made its official debut at the Zone C University Games. For BUIB, this marked a significant milestone in its history, showcasing its growing interest in co-curricular activities and student empowerment through sports. The university took part in major sporting categories, particularly football and judo, and quickly gained recognition for its performance, spirit, and coordination.
In football, BUIB’s team fondly known as the “Storm-breakers” made waves under the guidance of Coach Vincent Nkemazem. The Storm-breakers played three matches, recording a draw against IUG, a loss to the University of Douala, and a remarkable victory over CUIB. While their campaign was short of securing a spot in the finals, their fighting spirit, resilience, and team coordination earned them respect across the field. Coach Nkemazem expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, especially for a debut appearance, noting that the experience was both a learning curve and a sign of greater things to come for BUIB sports.
Meanwhile, in the Judo category, BUIB’s athletes demonstrated exceptional strength and strategy. The judo squad impressively won all their first and second round matches, showing technical finesse and tactical discipline. However, the journey for all BUIB judokas ended at the semifinal stage, where they were narrowly edged out by more seasoned opponents. Despite not reaching the finals, their performance was applauded as a breakthrough for a debuting university and a foundation for future growth in martial arts within the institution.
Perhaps the most vibrant and talked-about component of BUIB’s presence at the games was its Fan Club, the university’s official noise makers and spirit lifters. From day one to the final whistle, the BUIB Fan Club stood tall, not just in cheering the Storm-breakers and Judo team, but in leading creative campaigns and building awareness on critical issues affecting youth and society.
Their chants, costumes, and overall coordination electrified the arena, earning admiration from both fans and judges. But their impact went beyond cheers and music. The Fan Club used their platform to carry out educational and social campaigns, focusing on the fight against drug abuse, prevention against malaria and other diseases, environmental cleanliness, and the importance of cultural identity. These campaigns added a unique touch to their presence and aligned perfectly with BUIB’s holistic approach to education , nurturing both the mind and the heart.
Additionally, the BUIB Fan Club took part in several fan-based competitions organized by telecommunication giants MTN and ORANGE. They emerged second in all individual competitions and secured first place in the Fan Club Caravan competition. Their consistent performance across events earned them the title of overall second-best fan club in the entire Zone C games, a remarkable feat for first-time participants.
As the curtains fall on this year’s edition of the Zone C University Games, BUIB returns home not just with medals and rankings but with pride, experience, and a newfound reputation in the university sports scene. The institution has proven that it’s not only a center of academic excellence but also a rising force in sports and student engagement.