|
|
Infrastructure, Eternal Challenge (19.10.2005)
It was during the evaluation meeting of the Cameroon — Egypt encounter held last week that the Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Philippe Mbarga Mboa, announced the imminent renovation of the Yaounde, Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium. Barely one week after, the project is gradually taking off following the visit of a Japanese delegation to the site.
The present move to rehabilitate the structure comes as no surprise to most sports adepts who saw the limits of the Mfandena stadium during the home matches of the Indomitable Lions in the just ended 2006 African Cup of Nations / World Cup joint qualifiers. The Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium, constructed in the 70s, is out-dated in many aspects. It can no longer meet international standards in security, communication facilities, score board, comfort of spectators, etc.
Yet, it is the best Cameroon can offer. As one of the few stadiums in the country which can host an international match, uplifting its standards is therefore a major government priority. The whole idea to renovate the Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium is laudable. But many Cameroonians actually expect more. They want to see new stadiums constructed. In the minds of the country men of football icons such as Roger Milla, Eto’o Fils, Patrick Mboma, etc, it is still difficult to imagine how a great football nation like Cameroon, which has been to five World Cup finals and grabbed scores of continental trophies, would have nothing to show in the domain of football infrastructure. The state of all the stadiums on which Division I football matches are played is pitiable.
The initiative of the Minister of Sports and Physical Education to complete the Bafoussam
|
stadium, which was abandoned two decades ago when it was almost complete, is great. The construction of a sports complex in Yaounde by the Chinese is certainly another plus in the strive for more sports infrastructure in Cameroon. But more still has to be done.
The irony is that virtually all eyes are turned to the government. Whereas, in most countries, the bulk of sports infrastructure are put up by business persons, local communities, clubs, associations, etc. The fortunes of most football clubs in Europe and even some African countries is derived from their stadiums. This is because in today’s world, stadiums are constructed for a multitude of functions and not just for the practice of one of two sports disciplines. Most European stadiums are actually giant entertainment complexes with facilities such as shopping centres, restaurants, etc. The gates of the stadium are also open to musical shows and other forms of entertainment. This new trend is to make maximum use of the infrastructure.
While waiting for the time when Cameroonians would emulate such good examples, we have no other option but to make do with the deplorable sports infrastructure in the country. We also have to wipe out all hopes of hosting a continental or even regional event; at least for the next couple of years. The race to hosting the 2010 African Cup of Nations, for example, is almost over without Cameroon on the starting block. Senegal, Mozambique, Algeria, Botswana, Morocco, Nigeria, Zambia and Zimbabwe have already announced their intention. The hope of all is that by 2012, Cameroon will have enough to show in infrastructure to enable it bid to host a continental event.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hits: 4191 | cameroon-tribune.cm
| | | Toutes les ( 0 ) Réactions
|
|
|
Pour réagir, vous devez être connecté. Enregistrez vous et connectez vous.
|
Première page
Toute l' actualité
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|