In a thrilling display of young talent, the first-ever National Youth Volleyball Championship concluded with 3-0 victories in both the boys’ and girls’ finals at the Douala Sports Complex on April 13, 2025.
The tournament brought together 126 players under 20 years of age from across Cameroon’s five volleyball sectors, showcasing the country’s emerging volleyball potential.
“This first edition allows us to assess where we stand with this age category,” said FECAVOLLEY President Bello Bourdanne. “Now, our technical staff will meet to develop a standardised training method based on what we’ve observed.”
Decisive Finals
In the girls’ final, Sector 4 (West and Northwest) defeated Sector 2 (Center and South) with a commanding 3-0 victory (25-17, 25-10, 25-16).
The boys’ final saw Sector 1 (Far North and North) overcome Sector 4 with an equally impressive 3-0 win (25-21, 25-22, 25-17).
Building for International Competition
The championship serves as preparation for upcoming international tournaments. Young Cameroonian volleyballers will soon face continental competition at the African Nations Championships, with the girls’ tournament scheduled for June 2025 in Libya and the boys’ event set for August 2025 in Algeria.
Coach Ntolo from the Centre region praised the initiative: “It’s excellent that the federation thought to organise competitions for these younger categories. Players need match experience to develop and prepare for upcoming challenges.”
Olympic Aspirations
President Bourdanne revealed that this tournament is part of a broader development strategy. “We’ve sent coaches to identify the best young players who will join our core group for international competitions,” he explained.
The championship benefits from Olympic solidarity programs and support from Cameroon’s National Olympic and Sports Committee.
“This plan begins at the school level and extends through primary education, secondary schools, and FENASU,” Bourdanne added. “Federations want to be fully involved in organising these competitions to better support grassroots development.”
The ultimate goal is clear: building a sustainable talent pipeline for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and positioning Cameroon as a volleyball force for years to come.
