The “Lion of the Whistle” takes centre stage in Mexico whilst qualified Cameroonian squad watches from home
There’s something bittersweet unfolding on the sandy courts of Puebla this week. Whilst 32 of the world’s finest under-21 beach volleyball sides battle it out at the FIVB World Championships, one Cameroonian has been making his mark—not as a player, but as the sole African referee officiating at the prestigious tournament.
Dr Rodrigue Deuboué has been flying the flag for an entire continent between 15 and 19 October, earning his stripes amongst the world’s elite officials. And by all accounts, he’s been rather good at it.
On Saturday, Deuboué took charge as first referee for the women’s clash between Mexico and Germany on Centre Court at Parque Soria – a proper showcase match. His efficiency throughout the competition earned him to officiate the men’s semi-final between two Polish sides on Sunday, 19 October 2025, again as first referee on the main court.
It’s a significant achievement for African officiating on the world stage, and one that carries extra weight given the circumstances surrounding Cameroon’s participation at these championships.
Here’s the rub: Cameroon’s under-21 men’s team actually qualified for this tournament. They earned their spot fair and square earlier this year in Morocco. Yet when the tournament rolled around, they were nowhere to be seen. COCABEACH, Cameroon’s beach volleyball coordination body, issued a statement on the tournament’s opening day addressing the issue. The statement established that despite the best efforts from Bello Bourdanne, the Federation’s chair, to secure funding through all available channels, the necessary finances simply couldn’t be mobilized from the relevant authorities due to budgetary constraints.
For Cameroon, for African officiating, and for the continent’s presence at the top table of world beach volleyball, Deuboué’s showing in Puebla is cause for celebration.
