PATRIARCHAL RESISTANCE IN AN ERA OF GENDER UPSPRING IN AFRICAN SPORTS: THE CASE OF CAMEROON WHERE THE LIONESSES ARE BETTER MEDALS HUNTERS THAN THE LIONS 1954-2017.

In recent years, sports have been the most rapid social phenomena in the world and Africa has not been side-lined. But as it is the case with many other disciplines, it has turned to a male practise, (controlled and managed). In many African nations, female breakthrough in sports based on performance has not really changed societal perception vis-à-vis female participation in sport. In Cameroon, societal considerations based on tradition and culture has greatly undermined female breakthrough and performances in sports. This paper argues that notwithstanding the arsenal of international and national convention in-which Cameroon has entangled itself, the integration and recognition of female participation in sports is still minimal. Paradoxically the lionesses have many a time enabled Cameroonians to listen to the national anthem and see their beloved green-red-yellow flag fly very high. Based on historical and qualitative data the paper demonstrates that limited attention was given and is still given to female performances in Cameroon. The paper (analyses) considers the administrative, the urbanisation, the socioeconomic and the cultural factors to understand the present trend of Cameroon female sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]