Paul Biya To Lionesses: Keep Flying Our Flag High!

President Paul Biya and First Lady Chantal yesterday offered a deserved reception to the Women Indomitable Lions, Vice Champions of Africa.

The impressive turnout at the reception offered by the First Couple to the vice champions of the just-ended Women African Cup of Nations football tournament yesterday afternoon at State House was very much an indication of the satisfaction of the Head of State over their performance. For an event scheduled to take place at 3PM, the second floor Ambassadors’ Hall of State House was at 2PM already bristling with life as the nation’s top officials – from Senate President, National Assembly Speaker down the protocol line to government ministers – waited anxiously to set an eye on these new breed of sportswomen who won so many hearts during the competition. The Ambassador of Russia, Vice Dean of the diplomatic corps was also sighted in the hall.

The arrival of the presidential couple in the hall at exactly 3PM set things rolling as the team and technical staff members individually moved up to receive the acknowledgments of the First Couple. Then the President of the Republic moved to the rostrum to deliver a statement which essentially was a praise song for the exploits of the female lions. He said by their performance, the lionesses had carried out their assignment creditably and remain an example of courage, solidarity, team spirit, characteristics that show their love for the fatherland.

“Cameroon says thank you” he told them, urging them, as they go back to their various clubs, to continue to carry Cameroon’s flag very high. Special words of encouragement went to the team’s coach Carl Enow Ngachu for a job well done. The presidential nod of satisfaction also went to the organizing committee of the tournament which he said had been not only near-perfect, but also enabled foreigners visiting Cameroon for the games to have a taste of the warmth of Cameroonian hospitality. The President said such success was going to encourage him to ensure that the scheduled organization of the African Cup of Nations in Cameroon in...