The road to Tiko has officially begun. On Tuesday 28th April 2026, at the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civic Education (MINJEC) in Yaounde, Local Youth Corner Cameroon (LOYOC) held its first hybrid planning meeting for the 5th Edition of the Na We We Sports Jamboree. Chaired by the Secretary General of MINJEC, Monsieur BENGA Zachee Robert, the meeting brought together all partners, both physically and virtually, in a session that set the tone for one of the most anticipated editions of the Jamboree to date. The 5th Edition is scheduled to take place in Tiko, Fako Division, South West Region, from 4th July to 30th August 2026, under the theme: Stronger Together in Times of Crisis Through Sports.

The date and venue are now woven naturally into the opening sentence rather than sitting separately, giving it that clean 5Ws and H journalism structure: who (LOYOC), what (first hybrid planning meeting), when (28th April 2026), where (MINJEC, Yaounde), why (to plan the 5th Edition), and how (hybrid format with all partners).

Setting the Stage: MINJEC at the Helm

That the first planning meeting was convened and chaired at MINJEC is itself a statement. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civic Education has been a consistent institutional anchor for the Na We We Sports Jamboree since its first edition, and its leadership role in this gathering reflects the depth of that partnership.

Under the chairmanship of Secretary General Monsieur BENGA Zachee Robert, the meeting provided a structured forum for all stakeholders to align on the vision, activities, and responsibilities for the 5th Edition. The presence of MINJEC at the chair of this table signals that the Jamboree is not merely a civil society initiative: it is a nationally recognised platform for youth peacebuilding and social cohesion.

A Hybrid Format, A Unified Purpose

In keeping with the growing practice of inclusive and accessible engagement, the planning meeting was held in a hybrid format, bringing together partners who were physically present at MINJEC alongside those who joined virtually. This approach ensured that no partner was left out of the conversation regardless of location, a fitting reflection of the Jamboree’s own values of inclusion and unity.

The hybrid format also speaks to the scale of partnership that the 5th Edition of the Na We We Sports Jamboree commands. From United Nations agencies to government bodies, from international NGOs to private sector actors and civil society organisations, the partners gathered around this meeting represent a broad coalition united by a single conviction: that sports can be a powerful tool for peace, social cohesion, and youth empowerment in Cameroon.

What Was on the Table

The first planning meeting served as the foundational session for the 5th Edition, covering the key activities that will define the Jamboree in Tiko. Partners reviewed and aligned on the following seven major programme areas:

Pedagogic Sports Matches bringing together youth from displaced and host communities across football, handball, and basketball, with each match preceded by a peace message from a participant. Mentorship, masterclasses, and trainings offering young people access to skills development, leadership coaching, and professional guidance. Free health screenings and sensitisation sessions covering GBV prevention, maternal health, family planning, and general wellness for participants and community members.

Education support and donations including school materials for children and youth in the communities reached by the Jamboree. The Village of Opportunities, an exhibition of goods and services connecting young entrepreneurs, vocational institutions, businesses, and youth in Fako Division. Distribution of food and basic amenities to participants, particularly those from displaced backgrounds. And the Camping, Community Service, and Dialogue Sessions through the REAMORCE framework, bringing 500 young people together to live, serve, and build trust across lines of difference over the course of the Jamboree.

Tiko: A City Ready to Rise

The choice of Tiko as host city for the 5th Edition was deliberate and competitive. Tiko was selected over other candidate cities based on its preparedness, the strength of youth mobilisation in the area, and the genuine commitment expressed by local elected officials. As the gateway into the South West Region, Tiko brings with it the energy, the creative strength, and the resilience of a community that has lived through crisis and is ready to show the world what it is made of.

Bringing the Na We We Sports Jamboree to Tiko is not a symbolic gesture. It is an investment. It is a decision to stand with the youth of this region at a moment when they need platforms, not pity. And the partners who gathered on 28th April have committed to making that investment count.

What Comes Next

The first planning meeting marks the beginning of a preparation process that will run through to the opening ceremony on 4th July 2026. In the weeks ahead, partner roles and contributions will be confirmed, team recruitment will open for coaches in Fako Division, and the full programme for the 5th Edition will be finalised.

For young people between 15 and 35 in Fako Division, the message is simple: Na We We is coming to your city, and it is coming for you. Watch this space for updates on how to get involved as a participant, a coach, or a community member.

The journey to Tiko has begun. And it began exactly where it should: with institutions, partners, and communities, all at the same table.

Na We We. We Are One.