AFCON 2021 Mascot, Anthem : Three Best Proposals Shortlisted

Cameroon is drawing nearer to getting a suitable mascot and anthem for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with the selection of the three best anonymous proposals in each category. This was during a ceremony chaired by the Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Narcisse Mouelle Kombi who doubles as the President of the AFCON Organising Committee (COCAN) on May 5, 2021 at the Yaounde Multipurpose Sports Complex. 
The President of the jury to select the official Mascot, Prof. Jean Tabi Manga who unveiled the best three mascot proposals explained that the jury received 35 projects and began deliberations after they were installed on April 26, 2021. As for how the three best projects were chosen, he said that it was done in three stages and based on eight criteria. He added that the main criterion was that of the “category” which sought to find out whether the proposed project fell under the category of what can be called a mascot. Talking of the three stages, the president of the jury explained that out of 35 proposals received, they kicked off the first stage by preselecting the 10 best works. They proceeded to the second phase by preselecting the best six works and finally the best three works rated on 20. At the end, the first retained proposal, AA40 had a mark of 12.9 meanwhile the second AA60 had a total of 11. The third AA54 had 9.6 meanwhile a proposal coded AA52 was put on the waiting list. Worth noting is the fact that the mascot selection jury is proposing “Mola” as the identity of the yet to be chosen official mascot. To the president, “Mola” signifies togetherness and friendship. As for the jury to select the official anthem, its President, Prof. Charles Binam Bikoi explained that for 10 days they worked on 100 projects. He said the best three projects capable of electri...