By Angu Lesley
Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon
For more than sixteen years, one voice has echoed with authority and familiarity at the foothills of Mount Fako, guiding athletes, officials, and spectators through Cameroon’s most iconic mountain race. On February 21, 2026, that voice—belonging to Chief Njie Mbonde Albert—was formally honoured at the 31st edition of the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope in Buea, marking a symbolic retirement from his role as Master of Ceremonies after an extraordinary tenure.
As usual, the 2026 race began and ended at the Molyko Omnisport Stadium, the venue where Albert had long established himself as the most popular and commanding voice. For sixteen consecutive years, he had presided over both the opening and victory ceremonies, shaping the pageantry and prestige of the Race of Hope and turning each edition into a cultural festival as much as a sporting competition.
A journalist by profession and a traditional ruler by heritage, Chief Njie Mbonde Albert recently ascended to his coronation as a traditional leader, prompting him to take a leave from the MC role. His retirement from these ceremonial duties made the 31st edition a special occasion, celebrating a career that elevated the race through storytelling, cultural depth, and a unique charisma that energized every athlete and spectator present.
His contribution was formally acknowledged by Motomby Mbome, President of the Cameroon Athletics Federation, who presented him with a gift on behalf of the federation. The gesture drew warm applause from athletes, officials, and spectators, all of whom have come to associate the race’s most memorable moments with Albert’s unmistakable voice.
Often described as “the heartbeat of the ceremony,” Chief Njie Mbonde Albert has witnessed champions rise, records fall, and generations of athletes test themselves against Mount Cameroon’s demanding slopes. His retirement from the MC role at the 31st edition is not just personal recognition but a tribute to the behind-the-scenes figures whose dedication ensures that Cameroon’s sporting traditions endure.
As the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope continues to scale new heights, the legacy of Chief Njie Mbonde Albert—anchored at the Molyko Stadium and amplified by his iconic voice—remains firmly etched into the history of Cameroon’s premier mountain race.
The 2026 edition also celebrated Hamadou Bi Ibrahim, who claimed victory in the men’s category representing Afeum-Alah Athletics Club of Awing in the Mezam Division, and Mary Grace Wirba, a teacher and assistant referee in the Guinness Super League, who won the women’s race in 5 hours 24 minutes. Both athletes crossed the finish line at the Molyko Stadium, bringing the 31st edition to a memorable conclusion and adding their names to the rich history of Cameroon’s “Mountain of Greatness.”
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