ACTUALITE |
30.03.2002
Cameroon milk Cup triumph
The Indomitable Lions are still enjoying their Nations Cup win more than a month after becoming African champions for the fourth time. They returned to Yaounde this week for a state reception and to officially present the trophy to president Paul Biya.
It is the tradition for Biya to receive them after
each great win and to offer them medals and cash.
This time, Biya put a spacial plane at their service
to ferry them from Europe to Yaounde for eight hours.
During that period, Biya granted them audience,
decorated them with medals and later paid them special bonuses.
The Lions shared the £278,000 presidential bonus with other athletes. The men`s national volleyball team that won the 13th Nations Cup in Nigeria in October 2001 and four track and field athletes who won medals during international competitions last year had equal shares with the footballers.
But only the Lions had medals. New names like Eric Djemba Djemba and Bill Tchato were decorated as Knights of Valour. Those who had started climbing the ladder like Patrick Mboma and Rigobert Song were named Commanders of Valour.
Only 15 members of the Nations Cup winning squad were present for the brief ceremony which ended with a partial Yaounde city tour to show off the trophy.
Samuel Eto‚o, Salomon Olembe, Marc Vivien Foe and Lauren Etame were amongst the absentees.
Biya said: "Your victories have put you undisputably amongst the African and world football elite. What can we ask of you, again."
He then promised them full national support during the World Cup.
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Hits: 1 | Source:One Football | |
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