Hon. Agho Oliver crowns Tubah Handball Tournament finale with Peace Prize

A dramatic finale at the Tubah Handball Tournament on Sunday 19 May 2026 in Bambili took an unexpected turn when Hon. Agho Oliver Bamenju offered a special prize for peace after a controversial incident nearly disrupted the men’s final.

Players celebrate as Hon Agho Oliver announcement support for tournament

The competition, which brought together teams from across Tubah subdivision and beyond, had reached its climax with a heated encounter between Young Parcour Vita Handball Club and Handball for Champions, H4C. With the game delicately poised at 32-31, tension erupted following a late refereeing decision to issue a red card against a Young Parcour Vita player and award a penalty to H4C.

Angered by the decision, players of Young Parcour Vita abandoned the pitch, halting the match for a prolonged period as officials, organisers and stakeholders struggled to restore calm. After intense discussions and appeals for restraint, the players eventually agreed to return and complete the game.

What followed stunned spectators.

As the referee ordered the penalty to proceed, the H4C player entrusted with the throw deliberately sent the ball wide, intentionally refusing to capitalise on the advantage. The act preserved Young Parcour Vita’s narrow 32-31 lead and effectively handed them the championship title.

Best player of the tournament during action

The gesture immediately changed the atmosphere inside the arena, drawing applause from supporters and officials who described the moment as a rare display of sportsmanship and reconciliation.

Moved by the act, Hon. Agho Oliver Bamenju announced a special peace prize for H4C despite the team finishing runners up. The cash award reportedly represented nearly half of the total budget of the tournament.

According to the MP for Bafut-Tubah, the conduct displayed by the players represented an exceptional example of how sport can be used to promote peace and coexistence in a community affected by years of socio-political instability.

Team awarded for promoting peace

The Divisional Officer for Tubah, Massango Metuge Narcisse, who attended the finals, praised the initiative and linked it to efforts by state authorities to keep young people positively engaged.

“We are happy to see that amidst all what we undergo in Tubah, young people still have the courage to spend hours together and commune in sports,” he said, adding that the competition remained peaceful and should inspire stronger future editions.

Tournament organiser Neba Giresse Shu said the event was designed not only to identify and develop handball talent but also to rebuild unity among youths in Tubah and the wider North West Region.

Hon Agho Oliver takes kickoff of the final

“Our goal is to bring back peace and unity in Tubah by bringing youths together and keeping them away from the streets,” he said. According to him, the tournament gathered more than 300 young participants across ten teams made up of five male and five female clubs. He expressed gratitute to Hon. Agho Oliver for supporting the tournament financially promising their commitment to work for a peaceful Tubah.

While Young Parcour Vita emerged winners of the men’s category, H4C Female Team secured the women’s title ahead of Futru Handball Club.

Players also reflected on the significance of the competition beyond the results.

Male category winner Dane Warrens acknowledged the difficult circumstances surrounding the final but said his team remained determined to complete the game.

Tubah DO handing Medals

“Everything was not in our favour, but we were able to play to the end,” he said. “It is all about bringing talents together, making friends and having fun.”

For H4C women’s player Fokam Nung Marie Noel, the women’s triumph represented redemption after losing a previous tournament final.

Handing of winners trophy

“We took it upon ourselves that this time we were not going to lose,” she said. “This win means a lot to us because we attained our objective.”

The closing moments of the tournament may ultimately be remembered less for the scoreline than for the decision of one team to choose calm over controversy, a gesture the MP for Tubah-Bafut described as a reminder that sport can still provide lessons in peace, restraint and community healing.