The Cameroonians in Bahrain Sporting Festival, organised and sponsored by the Cameroon Migrant Network (CMN), took place from 6:00 PM at the Gulf Air Sports Club. The event was designed to create a safe and joyful space for Cameroonian migrant workers in Bahrain to connect, unwind and engage in physical activity through familiar home-based games such as football, sack race, egg in the spoon, tug of war, handball and “dodging”.
The festival promoted healthy lifestyles and aimed to reduce stress and depression among migrants by encouraging social interaction and community bonding. Men, women and children representing various cultural and social groups participated in the games, filling the evening with laughter, camaraderie and shared memories.
Participants enjoyed snacks and drinks together, reinforcing the spirit of unity. Every child received a gold medal, while adults were awarded medals and trophies for outstanding performance. All participants went home with a sports kit (T-shirt and shorts). In support of continued grassroots engagement, CAMBAH, a local migrant-led organisation and CMN partner, received four sets of sports kits to help them organise similar events for smaller groups under their umbrella.
The festival ended joyfully around 1:00 AM, with many reluctant to leave the playgrounds — a testament to the event's success in fostering belonging, joy and emotional relief among Cameroon's migrant community in Bahrain.
