| |
| ACTUALITE |
14.02.2002
CAMEROON EXPLODED WITH JOY ON SUNDAY NIGHT
Half the city of Yaounde was out on the streets chanting songs of jubilation and patriotism. That scenario was all too familiar. Last Sunday’s victory was the latest in a long history of football triumph for Cameroon.
Cameroon are four times winners of the nations’ cup; winners of the 2000 Olympic football gold medal, and for the fifth time next June Cameroon will be participating in the world cup.
By all reckoning Cameroon has done remarkably well in football. But the question that comes to mind each time is what the government does with these repeated victories, or what it takes out of them?
This question comes easily to mind seeing the many problems of Cameroon’s development. Isn’t it tempting to imagine that these repeated football victories should in fact point to a new direction in public policies?
Is it enough merely to savour these often hard-earned victories over other nations just like a gourmet indulges his appetite with no other purpose in view than the pleasure he derives? This, sadly enough, is what seems to be the case.
Apart from the spontaneous feeling of triumph and national pride that seizes Cameroonians with each of these victories we are convinced that the enormous football power generated by this country is not harnessed to lift the country and give it a mighty boost in its development.
We take tourism. This is well-known to be the number one employer world-wide.Surprisingly very little of this flows to Cameroon in spite of the inestimable promotional value that its successful football constitutes.
In 1990, people around the world, marvelled at the brave performance of the Lions at the world cup, and eager to visit Cameroon, but were somehow unable to come. That remains the situation to this day with each successive victory.
Cameroonian authorities are traditionally suspicious of visitors other than those officially invited by the government. Restrictive visa practices, police harassment of private visitors, doubtful touristic infrastructure and expensive air fares combine to deny Cameroon a share of this massive world-wide industry.
Even with praise-worthy examples to learn from like Senegal, north and east African countries, and South Africa that have overcome these obstacles, Cameroon still sticks to its conservative policies.
In so doing public authorities deliberately reject some of the real long term benefits of football. How unwise! The reason of public security which is often given is sheer nonsense because Cameroon is by no means more secure than most other African countries that open their doors to tourists.
Paul Biya admits that the problem of unemployment is still intractable. He has launched a laudable campaign to encourage self-employment among youths, but that is far too insufficient to resolve the massive unemployment problem.
Such a problem would require a multi-pronged attack. Tourism offers such an inexhaustible potential for employment that no one aware of this would easily want to ignore it. To tap it would require a bold and radical sweeping aside
of the existing self-imposed restrictions. Other have done it. The risk is little; the gain is inestimable. Football has done the promotion even better than government’s official structures.
Another important way in which the potential of today’s football victories can be tapped for the lasting development of Cameroon is the development and spread of sports infrastructure across the country.
Happily Paul Biya has accepted this, going by his Youth Day address this week. He promised to develop a modern sports complex with the help of friendly countries.
On this important point we urge the government to conceive wider and bolder. Every provincial headquarters deserves a standard sports complex including an olympic size football stadium. All other towns also deserve standard facilities. The more of them everywhere the better.These facilities encourage the development and identification of talent, and there is plenty of it in Cameroon. What is more, much of the financing for
this will easily come from external sources.
Mali a much poorer country with far less football talent put up five stadiums in one fell swoop. Can’t Cameroon do better; much better?
|
|
| Hits: 1 | Source:The Herald | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| ACTUALITE |
 Lions dealt legal threat
Bundesliga side Cologne have threatened to sue the Cameroon FA after Rigobert Song`s late return to Germany following the African Nations......
[Teamtalk][17.02.2002][490 hits][0 R]
|
|
Under-fire Nigerian coach Amodu awaits World Cup fate
Under-fire Nigeria coach Shaibu Amodu will learn in the next few days whether he is to be entrusted with Nigeria`s World Cup campaign after his team failed to reach the African Nations Cup......
[Yahoo][17.02.2002][650 hits][0 R]
|
|
Queiroz decision delayed
The South African football authority, Safa, have delayed a news conference where they will announce a decision on the future of coach Carlos......
[BBC][17.02.2002][607 hits][0 R]
|
|
Togo sack Nations Cup coach
The Togolese Footbal Federation (TFF) have dismissed national team coach Tchanile Bana for a dismal performance at the African Nations......
[BBC][17.02.2002][505 hits][0 R]
|
|
Tunisia retain Michel
Frenchman Henri Michel will remain as coach of the Tunisian national team despite its poor outing at the African Nations......
[BBC][17.02.2002][535 hits][0 R]
|
|
Sedan récupère trois de ses quatre Africains
L`équipe de football de Sedan (D1) a récupéré vendredi trois de ses quatre joueurs africains qui ont disputé dimanche la finale de la Coupe d`Afrique des nations......
[Yahoo][16.02.2002][522 hits][0 R]
|
|
Lauren in hot water
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger wants an explanation from first-choice defender Lauren Etame Mayer about his late return from the African Nations......
[BBC][16.02.2002][530 hits][0 R]
|
|
Merci les Lions
Les Lions indomptables ont effectué le tour ville hier avec leur nouveau......
[cameroon-tribune.cm][16.02.2002][511 hits][0 R]
|
|
Eto`o goes AWOL
Spanish first division club Mallorca have asked Fifa to take action against Cameroon`s FA for the late return to duty of Samuel Eto`o......
[BBC][16.02.2002][541 hits][0 R]
|
|
Lions focus on World Cup
Winning the African Nations Cup in Mali has fired up the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon for this year`s World Cup finals in Korea and......
[BBC][15.02.2002][598 hits][0 R]
|
|
Mboma wants long-term move
Cameroonian striker Patrick Mboma says he is looking to stay at English Premiership side Sunderland for several years. The former African footballer of the year on Wednesday agreed a transfer from......
[BBC][15.02.2002][488 hits][0 R]
|
|
Top 20 ranking for Lions
Cameroon and Senegal have both taken significant steps up Fifa`s World Ranking ladder. The Indomitable Lions` second consecutive Nations Cup win has propelled them into 18th position.......
[BBC][15.02.2002][529 hits][0 R]
|
|
Fan brief: Bravo! Indomitable Lions
It was with great joy that Cameroonians abroad, especially those in Canada, watched the African Nations Cup......
[The Herald][15.02.2002][530 hits][0 R]
|
|
Les Lions indomptables du Cameroun (Champions d’Afrique)
les Lions indomptables du cameroun, figurent désormais dans le cercle très fermé des équipes africaines (Egypte, Ghana) ayant remporté à quatre reprises le prestigieux trophée......
[lanouvelleexpression][15.02.2002][464 hits][0 R]
|
|
Can 2002 : question pour un champion
Les lampions se sont éteints sur la 23e coupe d`Afrique des nations 2002 organisée au Mali. Les leçons à tirer de l`événement pour le onze national, quadruple champion d`Afrique, et pour le......
[cameroon-tribune.cm][15.02.2002][597 hits][0 R]
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
