Bome FC Wins 1st Edition of B.M.I Christmas Tournament

Bome FC Lifts Up the Cup

Bome FC has established a record as the pioneer team that lifted the trophy in the pioneer edition of the Bongob Meta International (B.M.I) Christmas Tournament. This, they did by beating Tondig FC at post match penalties, 5 goals to 4 during a highly contested finals that was played on the Mile 19 football field on Thursday December 23rd 2021.

It was Tondig FC that first opened scores in the first half and took the lead only for Bome FC to later capitalise on a defensive error they made few minutes to the end of the first half and equalised, a goal that sent the Bome fans jubilantly screaming. Both teams went for recess on a tie and when they returned for the second half with much more determination and change of tactics, no other goal was scored till the referee sounded his final whistle, signalling end of full time.

Bome FC Team (The Winners)

Tondig FC (The Losers)

It was at penalty shootouts that Bome FC finally emerged victorious after their goalkeeper saved the last penalty that was kicked by the 10 shirted player of Tondig FC, Tah Fidelis leading to a final score line situation of 6 goals to 5. Immediately the last penalty was caught, Bome fans went wild, jumping up and down, singing songs of joy for the victory their boys obtained.

Just like his colleague of Bome, he extended words of appreciation to the tournament organiser hoping they still continue to organise more editions. Putting it as he said, "If they do again, I promise them that time around, I'll be coming to take the cup." In the trophy was the sum of one hundred thousand (100.000) Frs as first prize. The loser, Tondig FC backed home seventy five thousand (75.000) Frs for her second position.The coach of Bome F.C, Mbah Shadrach alias Ajasco told Mbengwi Online at the end of the match that "Indeed I am overwhelmed. It was really a difficult game as the two teams played very well. In fact, it was beautiful soccer to watch. I really thank B.M.I for bringing this to us because it's been long that we had such." To coach Teghen Godlove alias Iron Must Obey of Tondig FC, it was good football that after everything left him happy to have reached the finals. "In the game of football, one side must win and to take the second position in a competition as such wasn't an easy thing" he said.

Mbah Shadrach alias Ajasco, Coach, Bome F.C

Teghen Godlove alias Iron Must Obey, Coach of Tondig FC

It should be recalled that prior to the final match, Gutah FC and Mbengwi Young Boys FC, both losers of the semi finals competed for the third position same day at the end of which Gutah F.C won her opponent, one goal to zero, a victory that earned them the third position title plus cash prize of fifty thousand (50.000) Frs and 20.000F consolatory prize to Mbengwi Young Boys FC. 

Meanwhile away from football, the competition also had handball girls as a discipline. Here, it was Mbengwi FC that beat Gutah FC at the finals to lift the trophy that had attached to it, a cash prize of 50.000Frs as the loser (of the finals), that's Gutah FC went back home with 30.000F while the third position had 20.000F. 

The victory of Bome FC over Tondig FC to a greater extent came as a result of the huge support the Bome players had from their fons, business magnets, elites, diaspora, villagers and well wishers. In addition, they had the home advantage where supporters could trek from G.R.A, Ku, Njembeng, Muswe, Wumfi, Back Mbon, Mile 17, 18, 19, 20 etc to cheer the squad compared Tondig FC that had just a modicum of supporters dotted around the field of play because of the distance factor where their supporters were expected to travel for kilometres from Bessi Fomukong, Chenam, Wumnebit, Sang, Munam, Zang Tembeng, Njindom etc to Mbengwi. Again, Tondig players depended just on their talents. They weren't promised any 5F by anybody if they win whereas hundreds of thousand were raised by Bome FC supporters, crates of beer reserved, a set of new jerseys bought for them, flags carrying their logos and other gadgets. 

Handball Girl's Final

End of Match 

For all these reasons, they had much pressure to must win in order not to fail the aspirations of all those who had thrown in their moral, financial, material and spiritual support behind them. Nih Lewis Tata popularly known as Lewisco  formed a WhatsApp group to rally support for the Bome players. On the day of the finals he was on the field and made juicy promises to the boys should they win. This explains why it was like a dead announcement when Tondig FC first opened scores and a resurrection when Bome FC equalised and ascension when they finally emerged winner. 

Prior to the day of the match, H.R.H Prof. Mbacham Wilfred Fon Tarkeh II of Funam made a public statement, addressing the Bome players in which he said, Dear Bome FC, as you log horns with Tondig FC, may the Lord guide you into fair play and demonstrate that Bome people are not only respectful, are builders and love one another but that they also have the expert knowledge  of tact on the field and other areas of professional life. Bome FC make us proud with your participation as we claim your victory even before the match. On behalf of the 7 Fons that make up Bome, be blessed with victory. 

Handball Girls Highlights 

Handball Girls Highlights

The maiden edition of the BMI Christmas Tournament was sponsored by the Nyen Cooperative Union through Baba Nfo that offered 300.000F, AfroBrains Cameroon through Dr. Tata Emmanuel that offered 200.000F, Nya Publishers Ltd through Dr. Nya Hans that offered 50.000F and the Bongob Meta International itskef through its coordinator Mr. Ndi Walters that offered 310.000F. All of these put together amounted to 860.000F. It is this grand total that was used in the overall organisation of the tournament, purchase of equipment, award of prizes, motivation to ornanisung committee mbers on the ground, lighting of a Christmas tree at Sam Tabeng junction, Ngyen-Mbo among other activities. 

It should be recalled that away from the tournament, BMI also executed a project of lighting a Christmas tree in Mbengwi and it turned out to be the lone Christmas tree tgst was lighted at a public square in the entire subdivision in December 2021. Even the Mbengwi Council that had as routine to illuminate some key junctions of the municipality with Christmas lights didn't do so this time around. At moment, BMI is planning to come up with the second edition of the tournament and also execute other projects. To ensure inclusion of all villages in Meta, the tournament is organised in zones with each zone made made up of several villages.

Football Boys Highlights 

Football Boys Highlights 

Bongob Meta International is a group of Meta sons and daughters drawn from home and abroad that's been in existence for close to 4 years now. The group is a conglomeration of elites, politicians, traditional and religious authorities, business gurus, lay men and women etc. Since its existence, the group has been able to execute several multimillion projects like economically empowering refugees in Nigeria, economically empowering Meta fons and the recent Christmas sports tournament. At moment, the group is planning to work in collaboration with the Mbengwi Council to renovate the Abbi bridge. 

Meta Fons that Give More than they Take

Grouped under an organisation known as Fons for Health, Education and Development (F.H.E.D) headquartered in the Guneku palace with Fon Fomuki Ticha as president, Fon Mbacham Tarke as Vice President, Fon Mukuom as Secretary General, Fon Fombo as Treasurer and Fon Njokom Awah as Technical Adviser, these are some of the Fons making the difference in the Meta clan, eroding the age old perception that Fons are cheerful receivers. Together with other members of the organisation, they are setting the pace by effectively realising concrete sustainable projects that impact humanity.

The change of name of the organisation founded in 2003 as Fons Against AIDS to Fons for Health, Education and Development in 2021 is bringing landmark achievements already, barely just within a year of reawakening. On Tuesday December 7 2021, the organisation donated 8 new benches to Presbyterian School Ku Annex worth FCFA 200.000. Barely about a week after, precisely on Thursday December 16, the organisation again stretched out a hand of fellowship to some 28 persons living with disabilities drawn from Guneku and her neighboring villages by donating to them 220 table birds (3 week old chicks) and 22 bags of feed to go fatten them, 4 wheel chairs to 4 persons with mobility impairment and anti epilepsy drugs to some 3 sufferers of the disease, all of these amounting to one million three hundred and eighty one thousand (1.381.000) FCFA.

L-R: Fon Fomukong of Bessi Fomukong, Fon Fortu of Njimetu, Fon Fombo of Njindom 

Donors, Items & Beneficiaries

While welcoming the beneficiaries in the courtyard of the Guneku palace, Mr. Fomumbod Derick, coordinator of the organisation said "Our goal is to rehabilitate and reintegrate these PWDs, see their dreams and aspirations come true by engaging them into sustainable income generating activities." He further confirmed F.H.E.D is aware of their constraints in the course of the ongoing crisis plaguing the two English speaking regions of Cameroon forcing some to be I.D.Ps. As mark of encouragement, he added that "However, we know that P.W.Ds have valuable resources and capacities to contribute to their communities. Outdated perceptions of P.W.Ds point at them as vulnerable and helpless but the reality is that they want to, can and must participate in decisions that affect their lives and communities."

Present at the donation ceremony were the Guneku Tractional Council Chairman, Mr. Ndingwan Primus, the palace queen, Fomuki Carine, the Fon of Bessi Fomukong, H.R.H Fomukong Wilfred, that of Njimetu, H.R.H Fortu and other notables. H.R.H Dr. G.F Fombo is the Fon of Njindom, doubling as treasurer of the organisation. Quizzed about where their financial resources have been coming from to make such giant donations, he said "Largely, these endeavours are sponsored by the principal members of the organisation for now and truly, we are driven by the intention to assist people and that remains our push factor. However, we hope to work with others who have such goodwill to make sure that we get more and more people assisted in the course of what we are trying to do."

Mbah Wilfred, Sufferer of Mobility Impairment

Tayong Peter Yerima, Sufferer of Visual Impairment

Mbah Wilfred, one of the beneficiaries, suffering from mobility impairment as he has just one leg was offered a wheelchair. He admits before now, it was a big problem for him moving around his compound and business place at Mbon. In his voice, "I needed to use my crutches always. From my room to parlour, there's a door through which I can use a wheelchair but there was non. Now I'll find it easy to go and even watch films in the parlour, take a bath and do other things." He ended by thanking the donor organisation immensely wishing God continue to guide them to do more. 

Tayong Peter Yerima was another beneficiary. He suffers from visual impairment. In expressing his feelings, he said "I'm very happy today to have received these fowls and feed. This is an opportunity for me to establish my own business since in the past I had been struggling to have capital to no avail." He termed the donation his foundation while promising to rear the chicks for sale and not consumption. As word of advice to other Persons With Disabilities, he said "It's very important for them to join associations because for example if I was alone in my house, they would not  have come and given me these  fowls"

22 Bags of Feed

Distribution Exercise

3 Weeks Old Chicks

4 Wheelchairs

It should be recalled that ever since Fon Fomuki Ticha ascended the throne of Guneku, he's had a special affection for persons with disabilities. Hardly does a year go by without him reaching out to them. The public is anxiously waiting now to hear the next plan of action of Fons for Health, Education and Development and which community will be the lucky beneficiary of their largess this time around.