ACTUALITE |
02.10.2003
Indomitable Lion
Some three months on from the tragic death of Cameroon international Marc-Vivien Foe, the footballer´s family have still to receive any of the financial support pledged by the Cameroon government.
Foe collapsed during a Confederations Cup semi-final game between Cameroon and Colombia in France on 26 June and died later that evening.
Shortly after, the government in Cameroon announced they would financially assist Foe´s family in completing the sports complex that Marc-Vivien had started building in Yaounde.
Yet during a two-hour conversation with the midfielder´s father Martin at the family home in Yaounde, it became clear that Martin Foe´s main regret was that the government had not lived up to its promises.
"We have not yet received a penny from the government," he explained.
So while they wait for governmental support, Foe´s family has re-launched the construction of the sports complex themselves.
"We are banking on family resources and Marc-Vivien´s insurance to complete the project and realise his dream," Martin Foe explained.
In July, Foe was buried in the middle of the four-hectare sports complex in the Okoui neighbourhood of Yaounde.
The complex will cost about $6 million and, upon completion, will contain a football pitch, an athletics track, an Olympic-sized swimming pool and, amongst others, three tennis courts.
Disappointment
While Foe´s family and fans have gradually recovered from the shock, both have been expecting more from the government - particularly since Foe died in defence of national colours.
And fans have been particularly disappointed with the little honour given the footballer.
There is now a Stade Marc-Vivien Foe in Cameroon yet the ground is unimpressive and located in Akonolinga, a small town some 100 kilometres south of Yaounde.
Furthermore, although a street near the Foe family home was renamed Rue Marc-Vivien Foe, the plaque bearing the new name is very small - no bigger than an A4-sized piece of paper. The public had expected to see a larger placard which would match international honours given the footballer.
Praise
However, Martin Foe praised English Premiership side Manchester City, his son´s last club, for their continuing concerns about Marc-Vivien and his family.
City have not only retired the number 23 shirt worn by Foe last season, but have also offered a house to the footballer´s wife and three children.
"I want the children to continue their education in England," Martin Foe explained.
"So (Marc-Vivien´s wife) Marie-Louise and the children will be staying there."
Further international support will come from the charity game organised by the Cameroon FA and football´s world governing body Fifa.
The match is to be played in Lyon on November 11, and will feature a side made up of the best players from Foe´s former clubs - City and French clubs Lens and Lyon - for an exhibition match against Cameroon.
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Hits: 1 | Source:BBC | |
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