Great welcome ceremony for Lions in Fujiyoshida (04.06.2002)
Martin Etonge in Fujiyoshida, Japan
The Cameroon delegation and team in Japan were treated to a very welcome ceremony in their Japanese base of Fujiyoshida on Sunday.
The mayor of Fujiyoshida, Tsutomu Takekawa thanked his population for their patience in waiting for the Lions. "Here they finally are".
Because of their four days delay to arrive Japan, the Lions` schedule has been shifted by those number of days equally.
Mayor Takekawa added: "We`ll do all to enable the team participate in the World Cup under the best of conditions. We wish them good luck".
The prefect of the Yamanashio region sent a goodwill
message to the Cameroon delegation.
On behalf of the Cameroon people, Bidoung Mpatt thanked them for the memorable welcome ceremony and officially invited the mayor to Cameroon. He also appreciated the qualities of the Japanese people.
Gifts were presented to Cameroonians by personalities of the MT. Fuji region, centre of Japanese textile.
The ceremony was preceded by the singing of the Cameroon national anthem by kids of the Fujiyoshida Daini primary school. Animation was provided by the Tamboo Flames group of Fujiyoshida and a group of kids who did two songs in French, guided by Vincent Wansi, a Cameroonian hired by the municipality of Fujiyoshida.
