Biya empowers FECAFOOT

According to a presidential decree signed last Friday, the FA now has more powers to independently manage football matters without any interference by the sports ministry.
 
By Amindeh Blaise Atabong in Yaounde

Paul Biya

The head of state, Paul Biya has signed a presidential decree empowering the Cameroon Football Federation, FECAFOOT as well as set modalities for the payment of match bonuses.
Article IV of last Friday’s decree stipulates that the administrative, sportive and technical coordination of activities as well as the selection programme for national football players will be handled by a general coordinator who shall be appointed by the president of FECAFOOT. The president of the national football association will equally appoint two deputies to assist the general coordinator.
The recent decision by the head of state to reorganise the national football teams, it is expected, will lay to rest type of cacophony that reigned within the Indomitable Lion’s den prior to the World Cup outing in Brazil.
Unlike decree No.72 of October 3, 1972 that was signed 42 years ago organising only the national team, the latest presidential decrees touches both the Cadet and Senior Lions; male and female selections inclusive.
Going by the article that addresses the organisation and management of the national football squad, the text states that the competence has been handed over to FECAFOOT which shall be responsible for the administrative, sportive and technical selection process.
Also, the presidential text indicates that the financial burden of the national team selection process will be borne by the state and FECAFOOT, though the various quotas will be decided by a separate text.
The above decision will bury the hatchet that existed between the ministry of sport and FECAFOOT as regards control of the national team.
Another section of the decree focuses on the calling and selection of players, plus the publication of lists. Henceforth, players who will be selected into the national team will have to conform to the statutes, code, regulations, decisions and directives of FECAFOOT, CAF and FIFA.
In another sphere, the issue of match bonuses that has always been at the root of problems between players and officials has been addressed. In the future, match bonus for official and friendly games as well as qualification matches for international competitions will be handled by a decision of the FECAFOOT president in consultation with the minister of sports and physical education.
The payment of match bonuses to players and related officials will be ensured by FECAFOOT, following modalities to be enshrined in a particular text.
Again, financial resources destined for the payment of subventions will be provided to FECAFOOT by the state in the form of subvention and modalities will be laid down by a separate text.
All associations or sports organisations affiliated to FECAFOOT that embark on official international competitions could also benefit from the new text relating to bonuses, the decree added.
Following Friday’s presidential decree which came barely a day after another creating the National Football Academy (ANAFOOT), football analysts have opined that the head of state in now putting in place the recommendations made by the Yang commission.