Landry Sanjo, SW’s ‘Samaritan’ Basketball player

Landry Sanjo, a Cameroonian basketball international has been likened to the Samaritan who bothered to comeback and thank Jesus after ten of them were healed of leprosy, according to the Gospel of Luke 17: 11-19. 

Sanjo (right)

South West basketball President, Ifose Emile Mbella, made the statement on Saturday 13th January 2018 at the Molyko Sports Complex, during a gala event donated by the basketball star.

It is virtually 17 years since Landry Sanjo left the roots of his basketball career. The Philippines based basket-baller has not forgotten his humble beginnings, having hit the peak. 

“I am a son from this land, this round robin basketball tournament is to encourage the young ones. I am so impressed seeing faces I last saw ten years ago”, Sanjo told Volcanic Sports.

Quizzed on the personality of Sanjo, President/Coach Ifose Emile Mbella said, “He is a young man who grew up here in Buea, started basketball with me at the Youth Centre way back in 2000. He didn’t relent efforts, found himself with Ecole de Basket in Douala, later moved to FAP Yaoundé, before finally flying to Philippines.”

“Sanjo is like the Samaritan who bothered to comeback and thank Jesus after ten of them were healed of leprosy. He touches everyone who encouraged him to be where he is. Today he decided to stimulate the sport that made him scale heights”, Mr Ifose added.   

The University of Douala won the final after defeating Team Sanjo, also known as Buea Town Legends by 44 points to 41. But what matters to Sanjo is the ground the discipline has covered so far.

“The young are progressing, there are guys I left years ago who are really doing good. I am so impressed with the South West league of basketball and Coaches”, Sanjo stated. 

Friends and team mates came from Buea, Kumba, Tiko, Kumbo, Douala, Yaoundé and the USA, notably Ngabe Nzene Eric from Ecole de Basket Douala and ex-basketball lion, Eyabi Melvin.

By organising Saturday’s one-day basketball show, Landry Sanjo has succeeded to tell the World that, he is because they are, thereby upholding Desmond Tutu’s Philosophy of Ubuntu, that is, bringing people together.