FECAFOOT President Samuel Eto'o met with the winners of the 2026 Mount Cameroon Race of Hope, Hamadou Bi Ibrahim and Wirba Mary Grace, on Friday, March 6, 2026, in Tsinga.
Wirba Mary Grace, a first division women's football referee in Cameroon, and Hamadou Bi Ibrahim were accompanied by Mr. Apongnwu Wilson, CEO of the Afeum-Alah Athletic club. Samuel Eto'o supported the athletes by offering them 1,000,000 FCFA, while the 4th Vice-President of FECAFOOT, Pascal Abunde, added 500,000 FCFA.
The 31st edition of this prestigious race saw Hamadou Bih Ibrahim win the men's category, and Wirba Mary Grace, a referee in the Guinness Super League, surprised everyone by winning the senior women's category.
Wirba Mary Grace completed the ascent in 5 hours, 22 minutes and 11 seconds. This performance demonstrates the versatility of the athlete, whose talent extends beyond the football field. In the men's category, Hamadou Bih Ibrahim dominated the race on the slopes of Mount Cameroon, the highest point in Central Africa at 4,095 meters altitude.
The event took place in Buea, in the presence of the Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Professor Narcisse Mouelle Kombi. His presence underscores the importance given by the Cameroonian government to this competition, which has attracted athletes from all over Central Africa for 31 years. The Mount Cameroon Race of Hope remains one of the most demanding trail events on the continent. The performances in this 2026 edition testify to the level of excellence of the competition.
