“Our Priority Remains To Be Focused And Hardworking”

The Minister of Sports and Physical Education updates on the state of preparations for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. 

Mr Minister, CAF has just decided to move from 16 to 24 countries participating in the 2019 AFCON. Do you consider this change a bad surprise?

As for your question to know whether the change in the number of groups from 4 to 6 in accordance with the new resolutions adopted by CAF may be considered a bad surprise, I want to summarily come back to a few preliminary reasons that justify Cameroon’s resolve to brilliantly meet the 2019 challenge. The next AFCON comes along with tremendous significance. Actually, the hosting of the 2019 AFCON is considered a diplomatic and sports victory likely to promote the brand image of Cameroon within and out of the country. For a whole month, our country will focus national and international attention thanks to sports celebrating fraternity, solidarity, fair play, living together and excellence. Needless to emphasise the well-known socioeconomic benefits of this prestigious event. This football festival which is actually a sports festival in Cameroon will bring together the best 24 African Nations. Besides, the victories recorded by the national team and those expected during the coming AFCON and other important future events contribute in stirring the patriotic feeling of the citizens and enhancing popular adherence to the common ideal of Cameroon that wins.

Along the matches, with their bodies, hearts and minds close to one another, Cameroonians will, once again be able to mix, exchange with citizens from around the world, consolidate living together, share the values of efforts, solidarity, unity, etc… to show that they have the same aspirations and a common destiny. In fact, it will be about reasserting the important impact of sports as a factor of consolidating unity and a privileged catalyst of national integration.

Furthermore, it is at the Council of Ministers on 15 October 2015 that in a bid to boost preparatory works for the 2016 and 2019 AFCONs, the Head of State, President of the Republic, gave firm directives for all measures to be taken towards honourable hosting of these AFCONs. Under the impetus of the Head of State, President of the Republic, His Excellency Paul BIYA and the coordination of the Prime Minister, Head of Government, all competent technical Ministries, and specialized institutions, national and international companies are totally mobilized to meet the challenge of hosting the next AFCON.

The highest authorities have expressed their gratitude to CAF for selecting our country to host the next AFCON. After the advent of an august personality as the new President of CAF, namely Mr AHMAD HAMAD, Cameroon congratulated him on his election and assured him, through FECAFOOT, of the country’s total support in the discharge of his duties at CAF. For now, our priority remains to be focused and hardworking, in full synergy with the highest authorities and officials of CAF’s technical structures to ensure that the next AFCON is well organised. As far as Cameroon is concerned, the readjustments made and all resolutions and directives taken by CAF to enhance management and promote African football must be saluted and respected. There is no good or bad surprise concerning the new provisions made by CAF. We are currently at the organisational phase which is essentially dynamic as it must take into account all useful innovations. All in all, Cameroon is alert, mobilized in synergy with all the necessary forces and competences, ready to adapt to any new measures required to successfully host the 2019 AFCON.

The hosting of the 2019 AFCON is an honourable challenge for all Cameroonians, a national cause. With their kind assistance and advice, CAF inspectors and experts contributed in the magnificent hosting of the 2016 Women AFCON. Cameron is still counting on their efficient collaboration to brilliantly meet the complex challenge of hosting the 2019 AFCON.

Moreover, I want to confirm that provisions have already been made for Cameroon to adapt to the decisions adopted at the CAF meetings in Morocco. The six competition sites in which the 24 teams will play, subject to observations by CAF, are currently undergoing appropriate works. These sites include: Olembe, Mfandena, Japoma, Ngeme, RoumdeAdjia and Kouekong.

This decision was taken a few days after your reassuring appearance before the media. Is the optimism still intact?

It is absolutely not a matter of mood or optimism. It is commitment taken to meet a national challenge. Actually, in spite of constraints related to the current economic situation and security considerations in our country, the Government is totally committed, under the impetus of the President of the Republic, Head of State, His Excellency Paul BIYA and the coordination of the Prime Minister, Head of Government, to abiding by the List of Requirements submitted by the African Football Confederation.

The challenge was great to construct the Japoma and Olembe stadia. Now that the number of groups goes up from 4 to 6, how does the Government intend to meet CAF new requirements?

At my press briefing on 18 July 2017, I presented the situation of the facilities to be constructed or rehabilitated based on the former List of Requirements. Out of the 32 stadia, 11 were available and operational since the hosting of the 2016 AFCON. Fourteen are to be rehabilitated and 9 to be constructed. Works to be executed by the companies already selected willlast 10 to 12 months.

Among the stadia to be constructed, works are underway for the two most prestigious of them, namely Olembe and Japoma. For the six competition sites, we simply have to adjust and construct or rehabilitate the missing stadia among the 36. The rehabilitation and construction of competition stadia and training fields will be accelerated, following the signing of contracts with the companies selected.

Apart from sports facilities, communication facilities (roads, airports…), hotels, hospitals and telecommunications must be upgraded. Is there any coordination at the national level to avoid neglecting any of these aspects?

Coordination of the preparations for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations is ensured by the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chairperson of the Committee for the preparation of the 2016 and 2019 AFCONs abbreviated as COMIPCAN. This organ is charged with issuing instructions to officials of the various competent technical sectors to better harmonize all the activities implemented in this regard.

With the increase in the number of facilities required, what is being done to mobilize the necessary funds?

Funding for the 2019 Men AFCON is gradual as was the case with the funding of the 2016 Women AFCON. Concerning the facilities, it should be pointed out that funding takes two forms. External funding on the one hand and matching funds on the other hand. As of now, almost all external funds necessary for the construction and rehabilitation of sports facilities are available as well as the matching funds provided by Cameroon.

The 2019 AFCON attracts interest as illustrated by initiatives taken by some countries here and there. How is Cameroon organizing to inform the national and international public on the progress of the ongoing preparations?

The Prime Minister, Head of Government has issued instructions to the members of Government and structures concerned by the preparations for the 2019 AFCON to regularly inform the national and international public in order to avoid misunderstandings, rumours and misinformation surrounding this important event of international magnitude. W...