From seminar to action: Cameroon brings run archery to life after Abidjan training

Run archery is gaining momentum in Africa, with Cameroon among the first countries to turn recent training into immediate action.

In Yaoundé, the discipline was introduced at club level shortly after a regional seminar held in Abidjan, demonstrating how quickly the format can be adapted and implemented in a local setting.

Organised as part of a World Archery-supported knowledge sharing programme, the seminar brought together 17 participants from Cameroon, Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire on 15-16 November 2025.

Co-delivered by international judge and chair of the Run Archery European Cup, Stéphane Valette, and World Archery membership services project manager and Run Archery liaison at World Archery Europe, Dominique Ohlmann, the course combined theory with practice, including a full competition simulation that allowed participants to move quickly from theory to application.

For Marie Chantal Mazoume, secretary general of the archery federation of Cameroon, that practical experience proved decisive.

“The hands-on approach helped me understand in a very short time what I had struggled to grasp for nearly a year,” she said. “After the seminar, I felt much better prepared and really eager to put what I had learned into practice.”

“It felt simple and achievable with the resources we have.”

Back in Yaoundé, Mazoume wasted little time in introducing the discipline at club level.

Having previously experimented with run archery in an informal setting, she said the seminar gave her the confidence and tools to take things further.

While the initial idea had been to organise a seminar for coaches and judges, she instead chose a more direct approach – introducing the discipline straight to archers through a practical session.

The activity in Yaoundé on 7 March was based on a short-format run archery challenge, designed to be simple, flexible and easy to replicate at club level.

Using available space and basic equipment, the club set up a running loop with rope markers, printed targets locally and organised a series of demonstration runs before competition. Archers were directly involved in setting up the course and learning the format together, helping create a shared understanding of the activity from the outset.

The format included distances adapted to different age groups and experience levels, allowing both beginners and experienced archers to take part.

“We worked with the resources we had, adapting the setup to our environment, and the activity was a success – all the archers really enjoyed it.”

A total of 36 archers participated, ranging from under-12s to veteran athletes, with judges and participants sharing roles throughout the session.

The response exceeded expectations, with strong engagement across all age groups.

“What surprised me most was how easily and naturally the archers understood and applied the rules and principles of the activity,” Mazoume said.

The format created a dynamic and inclusive atmosphere, with athletes actively involved as competitors, judges and supporters.

“There was real enthusiasm throughout the session – everyone took part, whether as archers, judges or supporters, and supported each other. Even the youngest stayed engaged from start to finish, eager for their turn.”

The activity also highlighted the unique nature of run archery, where performance is not determined by shooting alone.

In one instance, an athlete with a sprinting background – and only a year of archery experience – finished near the top of the standings, illustrating the balance between speed and accuracy and surprising many of the participants.

Beyond the single event, the initiative has opened new perspectives for the development of the sport in Cameroon.

Mazoume believes run archery has strong potential both as a competitive discipline and as a tool for participation and outreach.

“The discipline is engaging and offers strong potential for development, both for those who want to compete and for those looking to practise archery as a form of active and healthy exercise.”

Plans are already in place to introduce the format in schools, explore collaboration with the national athletics federation and develop activities aligned with “sport for all” initiatives. Organising recreational competitions for adults is also seen as a way to attract new participants by offering a more active format.

Run archery has been included in the national federation’s 2026 activity programme, with further training and competitions planned.

For other member associations, the message is clear: start small.

“Starting with the short track challenge is key – it’s easy to implement, adaptable to all groups and environments, and requires minimal equipment. It’s also a great way to build engagement and a sense of community within clubs.”

With countries like Nigeria also preparing to organise activities, the momentum generated in Abidjan is already translating into concrete action – showing how run archery can be introduced quickly, effectively and inclusively across different environments.