ACTUALITE |
12.06.2003
Indomitable Lions: Mboma condemns interference in selection of players
By Martin Etonge in Yaounde
Frustrated by the persistent poor management of the Indomitable Lions by officials of the ministry of youth and sports, international football star Patrick Mboma has condemned interference in the selection of the national team players by the ministry of youth and sports.
After Mboma’s name did not appear on the list of 23 players for the Confederations Cup published on Friday, Mboma summoned the press on Saturday night to explain that it was his “personal and painfull decision not to be part of the Lions” for the event that starts on 18 June in Paris.
“I have decided to sacrifice my participation in the Confederations Cup with the hope that things will change. If things change and my services are requested, I will return”, Mboma explained.
In order not to call names, a very dejected and thoughtful Mboma was at pains explaining his frustration in the team.
“I have been in this mess for many years and I thought it was time to speak out. I have been hoping in vain that the managers will change. We (the players) have all become professionals, but management has remained amateur. Faxes to players summoning them for the national team are sent late. Worst still people interfere with the list of selected players”, Mboma disclosed.
Mboma made it clear that officials in the ministry of youth and sports frustrated the work of coaches by influencing the choice of national team players.
“Schafer has too much difficulties managing the team. Many middlemen intervene between when he takes his decision and when the list is published. We can’t continue that way. We must give confidence to our coaches, be he Lechantre or Schafer”, Mboma pleaded.
Mboma argued that he was physically ready for the Confederations Cup, but his mind changed within the 12 previous days after he talked to head coach, Schafer. He also argued that he was not out to distabilise the squad by granting a press conference on the eve of the Lions departure for France.
“My intention is to let our managers correct their errors so that we can have good results in next years’ Nations Cup in Tunisia in order to qualify for the 2006 World Cup. I also intend to encourage the players, most of whom experience similar frustrations, to go for good results in Paris”.
Mboma also talked on how players did not get their dues from sponsorship deals signed by the national team, the lack of infrastructure and the treatment of retired sports heroes. He urged Cameroonians to reflect on the problems and propose solutions.
For example, instead of donating money to the national team after major victories, donors could channel funds to developing sports facilities.
Mboma has become the second player after Lauren Etame to turn his back on the Lions because of poor management. Observers have agreed that the problems in the national team are enormous because of primitive management. The heavy intervention in the work of coaches is an old problem which has just been aggravated by the current youth and sports minister, Bidoung Mpkatt. Under him two have taken the courage to quit.
Some people think, solitary acts like that of Lauren and Mboma will not provide the required solution. That only a massive strike action from the frustrated players could provoke a change in management.
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Hits: 1 | Source:The Herald | |
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