- STV’s ONI Ladonette Ondesa has been named Best Female Sports Journalist of the Year at the 10th Scoop Excellence Awards held in Kumba
- Recognized for her field reporting, bold sports commentary, and growing influence on Cameroon’s football discourse, the 24-year-old continues to shape the future of sports journalism
- Her latest work includes a media campaign launched in July 2025 to help athletes leverage social media for visibility and professional growth
In a moment that crowned years of relentless effort, STV journalist and sports anchor ONI Ladonette Ondesa was awarded Best Female Sports Journalist of the Year 2024 at the 10th Scoop Excellence Awards held Saturday, August 2, 2025, in Kumba, Meme Division, South West Region.
At just 24-years-old, Ladonette has become one of the most promising voices in Cameroonian sports journalism. Her compelling storytelling, consistent on-field reporting, and sharp on-air presence have reshaped how audiences connect with local and continental sports.
The Scoop Excellence Awards, an initiative by Scoop Newspaper Editor Larry Esong, aims to recognize outstanding contributions in media, charity, and corporate engagement across Cameroon. This year’s recognition is proof to Ladonette’s journey from emerging talent to national voice.
Her first national spotlight came in 2019 when she won “Le Jeune Présentateur”, a Canal 2 International competition aimed at discovering future media leaders. At the time, she was an undergraduate in African Languages and Linguistics at the University of Douala. Her victory earned her an internship at Canal 2 international , where she quickly stood out. By her third month, she was anchoring the entertainment show Sunset ,a rare feat for an 18-year-old newcomer.
After her internship, she joined MirrorTV Cameroon (Mirror Radio), where she took on multiple roles, including hosting the morning show and managing advertorials. She describes this period as one of growth through challenge.
In January 2020, still a university student, she was recruited by STV. Her adaptability allowed her to take on reporting duties, co-anchor the 8 PM bilingual news, and present the program “Top 10 “ on Boom TV ,all while completing her studies. Upon graduation in 2021, she was retained full-time, gradually earning more responsibilities, including hosting the station’s morning show.
Ladonette’s versatility in both news and entertainment was further cemented in 2023, when she received the “Best English News Presenter award” at the “Cameroon Television Awards”, presented to her by none other than football legend Albert Roger Milla. The moment was a symbolic meeting of two generations committed to excellence in their respective fields , sports and journalism.
But it was during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, hosted by Cameroon in early 2022, that her path shifted firmly toward sports. Initially a sports columnist, she was soon trusted to host one of STV’s AFCON talk shows. That opportunity, she says, was her turning point.
Since then, Ladonette has built a reputation for consistent, field-based sports reporting, covering local matches, tracking athletes, and anchoring game-day coverage with precision and poise.
In 2023, she was appointed host of “La Presse refait le match”, STV’s leading sports debate show focused on domestic football. Under her watch, the show has gained renewed relevance for its bold discussions, elite guests, and unapologetic calls for reform in Cameroon’s football ecosystem.
“The Scoop Excellence Award feels like a quiet confirmation of years of showing up, even when it wasn’t easy,” she said after receiving the honor.
This latest recognition follows another recent accolade: Best Young Sports Journalist (Meilleur Jeune Reporteur Sportif), presented by the Minister of Sports, Prof. Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, at the “Trophée AJSC” on July 5, 2025.
Now, Ladonette is quietly expanding her impact beyond journalism. She is crafting a path in sports marketing and management, having launched a dedicated media campaign in July 2025 focused on helping athletes use social media strategically to grow their visibility and attract bigger opportunities.
The initiative, aimed especially at underrepresented and locally based athletes, reflects her evolving role as not just a storyteller but a builder of platforms for others.
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