This traditional event that holds on the eve before every celebration of the National Unity Day; May 20 brought together about 300 military and civilian athletes from the Five Joint Military and Gendarmerie Regions in an ‘Army and Nation’ sports campaign, proof of national unity and the urge towards a prosperous Cameroon. The mixed-category competition saw the disabled, men and women of different age groups rub soldiers in the quest to head home with a trophy after covering distances of 14.8km and 2.8km.

Among the athletes called up to the podium were last year’s winners Senior Warrant Officer Nyame Roland and Coporal Mboro Bella Danielle of the more than 35 years and female categories respectively. Other names who made their debut on the podium include Private 1st Class Soldier Oumarou Mohamadou, Senior Warrant Officer Lyonga, London Judith, Nzana Valentin, Ousman Abale and Mohaman Alhadji, each receiving their trophies and cash prices from the cross section of the Civilian and Military Hierarchy present. In a collective order of merit, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Joint Military Regions were ranked top.

Following the award of prices to the athletes, Beti Assomo Joseph alongside guests and collaborators witnessed the exhibition of the various components, professions and services of the Defence and Security Forces, the National Police and the Cameroon Customs Department in allocated stands that increasingly flooded with eager visitors.