Inspired by wanting to implement change in coaching in Cameroon, Legend Academy Coach Etoh Anzah Kingsley Etoh dedicated his life to coaching the youth in football.
“What motivated me the most is the things I saw coaches doing back then which actually was not helping in building a future out of football [for] the youth,” Etoh said. He says working with children has been life-changing for him, “Working with children is a blessing. You get to know a lot about what is happening around you.”
The “Ligue D’Égalité” has paved the way for young female footballers in Cameroon in a groundbreaking initiative. Petrichor, La Liga and Fundacion La Liga partnered to provide a league impacting hundreds of young players in a professionally run league. In a first-of-its-kind initiative, 30+ women coaches completed a coaching course taught by La Liga instructors as well. The league began on February 12, 2022 and ended May 21, 2022. 62 games were played by the U13 and U15 girls.
I was excited to reunite with the Petrichor team and get back to Cameroon after such a long time. The purpose of the trip was to launch two partnerships, check in on current programs, and align on the future of Petrichor and youth football in Cameroon. Despite travel restrictions and some tricky health guidelines, the trip went very smoothly and we wanted to give you a quick recap.
The final game of the first U15 Girls Petrichor Tournament in Yaounde, Cameroon, was over. In an exciting upset, Regina FC narrowly beat Green City to become the tournament champions. Green City, coached by Armand Bessala, normally dominated the youth competitions, especially on the girls side, but not this time. Coach Biyong Auguste of Regina FC and his team battled through the group stages and semifinals to get a shot at beating a top team, signaling a new era of girls football in Cameroon. With handshakes and congratulations, Coach Biyong and his team celebrated their big win! Coach Biyong, known as “The Educator,” used his teaching background to develop deep relationships and techniques with his players. He was part of the initial group of coaches that formed the original Petrichor Football Association and over the years has improved and added depth to his academy through community service projects, character development, and growing a quality youth girls program.
