By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
The Striking Eagles, the football club of the U.S. Embassy in Yaounde, Cameroon, have honoured Dr. Jose Tchofa for his significant support, active membership, and insightful guidance to the team.
The recognition was bestowed upon Dr. Tchofa on June 14 during a farewell football match at the Fébé Village Football Stadium. The United States’ US Ambassador to Cameroon, H.E. Christopher J. Lamora, was among the dignitaries who watched the game.
As the guest of honor, Dr. Tchofa had the privilege of kicking off the game in front of esteemed guests such as USAID/Cameroon staff, Striking Eagles board members and affiliates, and even Dr. Paul Tjek, along with other former medical school colleagues. It was a fantastic display of sportsmanship and community spirit, embodying the U.S. Embassy’s core values.
Ambassador Lamora, speaking after the match, praised the Striking Eagles for their unity and commended Dr. Tchofa for his humility. “I have seen you do several things, and I must congratulate you,” Ambassador Lamora stated.
Isa Adamu, president of the Striking Eagles, described Dr. Tchofa as a humble man who has contributed immensely to the club and reinforced the embassy’s core values.
“Dr., we thank you for your time here with us. All the contributions made for the Striking Eagles are countless,” Isa Adamu said. “We can’t thank you enough, but we know wherever you go, you will be the ambassador of the Striking Eagles. You are leaving, but not truly leaving, because anytime we play, we will remember you.”
On his part, Dr. Tchofa expressed his sincere appreciation to the current and past presidents, as well as the entire board of the club, for this meaningful honor, which he described as a cherished symbol. He reflected on his four years with the Striking Eagles, stressing that each game was an opportunity to exemplify the embassy’s core values under Ambassador Lamora’s leadership.
“It is an honour for the Striking Eagles, which I joined about four years ago, to organize this for me,” Dr. Tchofa said. “Each time we play, it has always been an opportunity to exemplify the core values of our embassy under the leadership of Ambassador Lamora.”
As he prepares to embark on a new role in another African country in the next couple of weeks, Dr. Tchofa shared his pride in the emerging young talents within the club.
He underscored the significance of unity, learning, tolerance, and leadership in building a better Cameroon. He expressed his belief in the cycle of life and the importance of nurturing new potential, conveying his joy in witnessing their development and adoption of positive values.
During the sendoff ceremony, Ambassador Lamora presented Dr. Tchofa with a symbolic T-shirt, a signed football, and a trophy, acknowledging his invaluable support, active membership, and wise counsel. The Striking Eagles acknowledged that his dedication and commitment have been vital to the club’s success and growth.