Handicap-Cameroon

                                         INTERNATIONAL NEWS

The National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) of Zambia, Lesotho, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Regional Training Camp in Lusaka, Zambia which aims to strengthen the Paralympic Movement in Southern Africa.

The IPC camp, which ran from 3-8 October, brought together almost 50 athletes, coaches and administrators from the five NPCs to share knowledge and ideas.

Sponsored by the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (NIF) and Charity and Sport, delegates had the opportunity to attend a series of workshops and sports training sessions.

The NPCs used the opportunity to sign the Memorandum of Understanding for South to South Cooperation, which covers training, competitions, awareness raising and government lobbying.

They agreed to co-operate by exchanging training programmes for leadership, coaches and classifiers. In addition they will exchange competition programmes in Athletics, Powerlifting, Wheelchair Basketball, Goalball, Sitting Volleyball and Swimming.

In the memorandum, the NPCs also committed to "promote independent living among the disabled through entrepreneurship skills development; share relevant information on the development of sports for the disabled; and embark on awareness campaigns of sport for persons with disabilities in rural areas."

A key aspect of the memorandum was also to jointly exert pressure on their respective governments to provide financial support and tax relief, make all sports venues accessible to persons with a disability and increase influence and recognition for Paralympic Sport at government level.

"The five National Paralympic Committees also agreed to urge their governments to include members of the National Paralympic Committees in all government sports-related committees and

international conferences" and "employ full-time employees with knowledge of disability sports in the Directorate of Sport," the agreement read.

                                  Source: Newsletter de l' IPC

          OTHER INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Sky Sport New Zealand has won the broadcast category of the International Paralympic Committee's (IPC) 2011 Paralympic Media Awards.

The award is given to the TV broadcaster that presented the highest quality and most dynamic coverage of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

The imagery and stories broadcasted live across New Zealand by Sky Sport captured the true spirit of the Paralympic Games, particularly the extraordinary coverage of Alpine Skier Adam Hall.

The live coverage of Hall's gold-medal race captured the nation. Hall's fall in the race and ability to get back up and finish to win gold showcased so much strength, emotion and passion that he returned to New Zealand a celebrity.

Sky Sport New Zealand also produced live coverage of the Opening and Closing ceremonies, post-race interviews, medal presentations and a daily primetime 55-minute highlights programme that was replayed across three sport channels.

The coverage excited the nation and provoked people to ask for further coverage of Paralympic Sport in New Zealand.

Other finalists for the award included:
- Germany's Bertelsmann
- Sweden's SVT Sport
- China's CCTV
- Australia's ABC TV
- Germany's ZDF
- Canada's CTV.

The award is given to the TV broadcaster that presented the highest quality and most dynamic coverage of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

This category is open to all rights holding broadcasters, non-rights holding broadcasters and documentary filmmakers.

The award will officially be presented to Sky Sport New Zealand at the gala dinner during the IPC General Assembly in Beijing, China, on 10 December.

Source: IPC newsletter

           A COMMITMENT CHARTER TO Sensitize POLITICIANS

                During last electoral campaign, we observed that the majority of these candidates did not have in their programs, a chapter concerning persons with disabilities. That is the main reason of the elaboration by the network “Accessible Elections for Persons with disabilities” of a Commitment charter for the socio political integration of persons with disabilities in Cameroon.

                        This document was given to the 23 candidates who took part to the elections or their representatives. Some of them took it like : SDF of the Chairman Ni JOHN, Esther DANG of the BRIC, Ben MUNA of AFP, CPDM just to name a few.  Others like Jean NJEUNGA, the candidate of the united front of Cameroon (FUC), categorically refused to take it. Answering to the question to know if it is in that way he would rule the country in case he is elected, marginalizing some Cameroonians, he said “YES”.  Other ones like Fritz NGO who thought that it was a motion of support, finally took the document. Some of these candidates were unreachable or very busy. We will try to meet them because; the process is still going on.

 Etienne .D. ONANA© 70 31 11 28/ 94 78 86 88

After the withdrawal of their electoral cards, a big majority of people with disabilities accomplished last Sunday October 9^th, their civic duty. We accompanied some of them. Here are their impressions:

Leopold ASSIENE (visually impair): “It is a great day for disabled persons of Cameroon and for our democracy. I have just voted for the first time. It has been quite good and easy. The reception at the polling station was good. I think that things should continue on that way.”

ELOUNDOU Joseph (visually impair): “It is for the first time that I have the occasion to vote. It was good. I extend all my recognition the organizers who took us in consideration”.

 MINALA Marlyse (girl physical impair): “I could not believe that in our country, things could be organized like in developed countries. It is for the first time that I vote. I was welcomed in dignity. Many things are still to be ameliorated. I hope that Elecam and the government will continue on that way”.

Etienne .D. ONANA© 70 31 11 28/ 94 78 86 88

                         LES CANDIDATS SENSIBILISES

La plate forme «  Accessible Elections for Persons with Disabilities,  dans le cadre de la dynamique engagée au début de ce processus électoral, a commis une charte d’engagement  pour l’intégration socio politique des personnes handicapées du Cameroun. A quoi ça sert d’abattre un travail colossal  et efficient si les partis politiques et leurs leaders ne sont pas impliqués et sensibilisés  sur l’approche handicap? Pour ce faire, la plate forme « Accessible Elections for Persons with Disabilities » a commis une charte dans la quelle elle invite les 23 candidats à prendre l’engagement à poser un certain nombre d’actions en faveur des personnes handicapées au cas où ils sont élus. Malgré le retard, celle-ci leur sera distribuée. Un document d’une certaine consistance rédigé dans les deux langues officielles du Cameroun. Comme vous le voyez sur ces photos, la majorité de ces candidats l’ont reçue. S’il est vrai qu’ils n’ont pas eu le temps matériel nécessaire  d’intégrer l’approche handicap dans les discours de cette campagne,  ils le feront la prochaine fois. Cette action, on peut le dire avec certitude portera ses fruits dans l’avenir. Certains candidats ou leurs représentants à l’instar de Esther DANG du BRIC, le SDF du Chairman Ni John, le RDPC, du  Manidem  ou de l’UDC du Dr NDAM NJOYA l’ont reçu. D’autres, pratiquement injoignables n’ont pas pu l’avoir. Ils seront relancés dans les prochaines heures. Par contre, certains comme Jean NJEUNGA du FUC, ont refusé de le prendre, même s’il ne signe pas. Pire, à la question de savoir si c’est de cette façon qu’il gérerait le pays en excluant certaines couches, ce candidat président a répondu par l’affirmative… Fritz NGO par contre, ayant refusé au départ croyant qu’il s’agissait d’une motion de soutien, s’est repris positivement et l’a signé. On espère que pour les échéances à venir, on intègrera les personnes handicapées dans les conseils municipaux, législatifs ou sénatoriaux.

La remise de la charte d'intégration socio politique des Personnes Handicapées.

Esther DANG du BRIC en haut et le Représentant de L' AFP de Ben MUNA

 Didier ONANA©70311128/ 94 78 86 88