LocationsEnhancing Social Cohesion Through Sports: A New Synthetic Turf Stadium for Bamenda, North-West Region
September 15, 2025
UNDP CMR: Aerial View of the staduim during a local football tournament
“We have waited for this moment for years. Playing on dusty and muddy pitches was frustrating, but today, as captain of my team, I finally see a real home for football in Bamenda. This stadium gives us dignity, hope, and the chance to dream bigger,” says Emmanuel, player of Bojung FC, local football club that recently won the Bamenda I Peace and Unity Cup.
For decades, the North-West region, one of Cameroon’s football powerhouses lacked a modern stadium. Local derbies, youth tournaments, and even elite matches were played on dusty grounds during the dry season or waterlogged pitches during the rains. This left players vulnerable to injuries, limited fair competition, and stifled the growth of talent. The absence of an up-to-date facility was a long-standing frustration for both players and fans.
UNDP CMR: A football tournament in a muddy field
That gap has finally been bridged with the completion of a synthetic turf football pitch in Atugolah, Bamenda I sub-division, North-West region under the Presidential Plan for the Reconstruction and Development of the North-West and South-West Regions (PPRD-NW/SW).
The stadium is equipped with a synthetic turf playground sized to FIFA standards, a 342-seat grandstand with under-bleacher facilities, a fully equipped dressing room with toilets and an infirmary, floodlights for evening matches, and a secure perimeter fence. These features give the community not just a pitch, but a multi-functional space for football, cultural gatherings, and recreation.
UNDP CMR: Aerial view of the Stadium
UNDP CMR: Cross section of the stadium during a local sport competition
For residents, the stadium represents far more than infrastructure. It is a hub where children, youth, and families can gather to share joy, celebrate culture, and unite around sport.
“This stadium goes beyond being just a football pitch, it is a of partnership, resilience, and hope for our people’’ said the Mayor of Bamenda I Council, Mbigha Felix. “With financing from UNDP, the Government of Cameroon, and the Council, we have created a safe space where our young people can nurture their talents, learn discipline, and come together across differences.”
Construction works were executed using local expertise, reinforcing the importance of local content in rebuilding the region.
UNDP CMR: H.E Chief Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute, Prime Minister & Head of Gov't and team at the stadium during his visit to Bamenda within the sidelines of the PPRD-NW/SW Steering Committee meeting
The North-West has long been home to football talent, producing players who have excelled at national and international levels. But inadequate infrastructure often stood in the way of progress. The Secretary General of FECAFOOT North-West Region, Ndi Elvis reflects on the facility’s significance:
“The North-West has always produced football talent despite poor infrastructure. This new stadium offers a professional space where our youth can train, compete, and showcase their talent at home.”
The facility is already transforming local sports. Clubs and schools now have a safe and modern space for training and competition. With its synthetic turf and grand stand, the stadium is also fit to host elite matches, providing visibility for emerging talent and strengthening Bamenda’s place on Cameroon’s football map. At the same time, the space is open to cultural festivals, youth programmes, and peacebuilding activities, ensuring it remains a shared arena for recreation, unity, and resilience.
UNDP CMR: Players and authorities share pre-match pleasantries at the Finals of the Bamenda 1 Peace Tournament
UNDP CMR: A womens's cultural group in a cultural display during a football match at the stadium
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