By Macwalter Njapteh
Sport writer, Angu Lesley Akonwi, has emerged as the best sport journalist in the country for 2021.
The prolific writer and publisher of the online sports news portal, kick442.com, was recognised and awarded the prize during the Victoria International Media Merit, VIIMMA Award 2021, organised in Limbe, Fako Division, South West region last Friday, December 10.
Out of six heavyweight nominees for the category, he was singled out by a six-man jury headed by ace journalist and human rights expert, Franklin Kiven. This was after an assessment some articles submitted to the jury and collating with online vote counts.
After bagging home his award, the multi-award winning journalist took to the social media to express gratitude to his fans and supporters who voted him.
“I want to say a big thank you for making me emerge the winner of the Victoria International Media Merit Award 2021. This would not have been possible without your support. From the depth of my heart, I say thanks for the prayers, the trust and believing in one of your own” Angu wrote, before extending appreciation to the organisers the VIIMMA award.
The young and vibrant media star also dedicated the award to the kick442.com family of writers.
The 2021 VIIMA award adds to several other recognition he’s made in promoting sports in Cameroon and the African continent.
Last August 2021, Angu Lesley was chosen amongst few sport journalists based in the South West region who have made resounding contribution in promoting the trade, by the South West Regional bureau of the Cameroon Football Federation, FECAFOOT.
Affectionately referred to as Dr Stats, by colleagues, for his mastery sport facts and in analysing sports events, he is the lone Cameroonian in the media team for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations to be staged on home soil.
He has been designated media officer for the continental jamboree scheduled for early next year, by the Confederation of African Football, CAF. This continental assignment comes on the heels of a spectacular assignment he performed, serving in the same capacity during the 2021 AFCON draw in Cameroon.
He also served as the communication officer for the recent South West Mini Interpool, His works in the domain of sports draw the attention of the country’s football association that appointed him as Team Press Officer for the U-17 Lions of Cameroon, a position he holds till date.
Meanwhile, VIIMMA Awards is an annual event organized by the Cameroon Association of Media Professionals to celebrate excellence in the city of Limbe, formerly called Victoria and beyond. The event in it fourth edition this year, dished out 40 awards, ten of which were handed to meritorious journalists.