ACTUALITE |
09.06.2003
Mboma refuses to play for Lions
Patrick Mboma has disclosed that he refused to be part of the squad for the Confederations Cup because of the poor administrative management of the Indomitable Lions.
After Mboma´s name did not appear on the list of 23 players for the
Confederations Cup starting on 18 June in France, the international
summoned the press to announced that it was his decision not to part of the event in order to push the managers review their style of work.
He refuted charges that he had been dropped for poor form and argued that after an injury last January he regained his form and was scoring goals for his Japanese club side Verdy Tokyo. Consequently, he was ready physically for Paris.
"I have decided to sacrifice my participation in the Confederations Cup with the hope that things will change", Mboma said.
A dejected Mboma had pains convincing the press that his press conference held in the hotel where the players were lodged was not intended to distabilise the squad and make them have bad results in the Confederations Cup. He said his act was instead to encourage the players, many of whom are experiencing similar frustrations.
He announced that he was not quiting the squad definately and would return if the management improved, to fall in line with international norms. "We are all professionals, but the management has remained amateur".
Mboma decried the rampant change of Winfried Schafer´s list of selected players, thereby insinuating that officials of the ministry of youth and sports were not letting the coaches work freely. He disclosed that officials were apparantly deliberately frustrating some players when the message summoning them to the team is faxed late.
Mboma defended Schafer and explained how Schafer was frustrated by too much interferance in his work. "We should have confidence in our coaches. Be him Lenchantre or Schafer we should allow them work freely", Mboma pleaded with the managers.
He also talked on the problems of infrastructure, the care of retired sportsmen and how national team players do not get their full due from sponsorship deals.
He wondered how Cameroon could be so backward in terms of sports
infrastructure after five World Cup participation and four Nations Cup wins. He called on Cameroonians to reflect on the situation and propose solutions. He proposed that instead of donating money to the team after each victories, such rich donors could instead channel the money to development projects.
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