Sports journalist Charles Douglas Demba has advocated for greater recognition of the Cameroonian Ballon d'Or's value, following the ceremony that crowned Serge Daura and Lys Tiwa as the best players of the year. Demba, who works at Radio Balafon, believes that the awards offered to this edition's winners will positively impact their lives and careers.
According to Demba, the Cameroonian Ballon d'Or ceremony deserves praise, especially due to the substantial prizes awarded to the winners. Serge Daura, the striker for Gazelle FA de Garoua, won the title of best player in MTN Elite One, pocketing a 500 m² plot of land, a car, and a cash prize. Lys Tiwa, from Lekié FF, was crowned best female player. Demba points out that in Cameroon, it is rare for a footballer to be able to acquire land through their efforts on the field, making these awards particularly significant. He sees this as a revolution that could change mindsets and inspire other players.
Demba also raised questions regarding the event's sponsors, particularly Guinness, noting that only men seemed to be awarded by this brand. He suggested that Camille Loé, the president of the 2026 Ballon d'Or, could provide clarification on this matter. MTN Cameroon, another major sponsor, injected more than 20 million CFA francs in awards. MTN has been a significant sponsor of Cameroonian football in the past.
Serge Daura, just 19 years old, was also named top scorer in the Cameroonian league with 15 goals and 11 assists. He expressed his gratitude to his teammates for their support. Lys Tiwa, for her part, also won the title of top scorer in the women's first division. These awards mark a new era for the Cameroonian Ballon d'Or, further valuing local footballers.
The Cameroonian Ballon d'Or ceremony took place on February 27 at the Palais des Congrès in Yaoundé, in the presence of numerous personalities, including the First Lady, Chantal Biya, and the Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Narcisse Mouelle Kombi.
