Since FIFA, CAF and other interested "Soccer Fanatics" voiced concern about the Level of Readiness (or lack there'of) of Cameroon to organize this tournament; Cameroon government has suddenly sprung into action. Last week, President Biya stood (in a rare appearance) for a mini one point "Press Conference" to announce to the world that "Le Cameroun est non seulement capable d'organiser la CAN mais les travaux avancent "normalement" et seront prets le moment venu".
In other words, there is no room and even no reason to panic or to ask another country to take over the organizational parameters. Before we delve into the socio-economic importance of "African Nations Cup" let us recalibrate and focus on a few salient facts.
New teams have been added bringing the total to 24. (My figures might be skewed. I am analyzing from an outsider's perspective). This is one on Bafoussam's main streets leading to the yet to be finished Kouekong Stade de Bafoussam. There is a lot that goes into planning for such a huge and costly project. Those games last at most three weeks and those giant edifices constructed if nit well planned will remain grotesque "White Elephants" that would end up in abject squalor.
Now, let us look at this "business" objectively.
BAFOUSSAM:
OK, so Bafoussam is definitely and will not be ready (no matter the amount of cosmetic white wash or spin the authorities try to put on it).
Bafoussam is a huge under-developed village (n'en deplaisse a mes freres et soeurs de l'Ouest), very unplanned, pot-hole infested roads, no seawage systems commensurate to a town with such a booming population, no Hotels of some societal standing (I hear most of the so-called Hotels built by private individuals are mainly for "Coups Presses" i.e one or two hour deals for unfaithful cassanova men and unscrupulous easy virtue women). Urban infrastructure is quasi non existent...In short, Bafoussam is a MESS. No ifs Not buts. So, in my humble opinion, knock out "Fuh'sam" in this CAF Cameroon arrangement. Added to these impediments, the natural disposition of the mainly "Bamileke residents" who for every investment or expenses, they MUST "Mah Calculs Mah Plans" whereby "Cinq francs ne cherche pas son frere". Therefore, these "Fuh'ssam" guys would not abandon their "Commerchant Status" to go and pay "Miyons de francs CFA" to watch a match between Nigeria and Zambia. Wetin concern dem?
LIMBE:
This town at least can boast of a "spanking new" stadium that can host 20,000 spectators. The problem, (even with the presence of a few Hotels of good standing); there are no twenty thousand spectators capable of buying tickets to fill that arena. Just like Bafoussam, there are no adequate roads, no parking spaces, no training grounds for the various delegations who will be using this facility. It is therefore not economically viable for CAF or FIFA. The only group that would as usual stand to gain from this gargantuan organization (Yes your guess is as good as mine) is FECAFOOT and all the actors who will be jockeying for lucrative deals. LIMBE therefore does not cut it.
DOUALA:
A new stadium has been earmarked "To Be Built" on the outskirts of Douala going towards Yaounde by the Airport to function in parallel with the infamous "Stade Omnisport Mbappe Lepe de Bepanda, Douala". Since the new "Construction is still "a l'Etude" let us talk about the old "Stade". There is a "Fight" going on right now as we speak with Douala Municipalities related to "Who" sold ALL the land in the viscinity of the Stadium and why? It is rumoured that Gov't officials "nyangallement" distributed portions amongst themselves and many have already "illegally" mounted humongous edifices on that "Public domain". (That is another topic for another day). The D'la Stadium is not only decrepit (almost 50 years old) but it is a Health harzard, an environmental disaster but an ecological disgrace for a Sport loving country like Cameroon. It has practically the same problems like the other towns referenced above. Given a miraculous turn around, our hopes are that given the time frame left, the new Stadium would have left the drawing board and implemented on the ground and some patriotic Cameroonians citizens would take it upon themselves to "Moof shame 4 we eye" and step up to the plate to remedy a very embarassing situation. If not, Douala too is not ready for Prime Time.
YAOUNDE:
The "Ahmadou Ahidjo" Stadium (as it was called B4 the advent of CPDM revisionist Historians landed the stage), can handle a few African delegations and International dignitaries BUT much work still has to be done. Is it not amazing that Cameroon; three times champions of the African Nation's Cup is still grappling with basic "Infrastructure issues" almost 48 years after losing to Congo in the finals of the 1972 CAF jamboree in Yaounde?
Why do we always have to wait till the last minutes to start "rushing helter skelter"? Where are the authorities? Who is in charge of what? Why are people not "Fired" or even jailed for incompetence? Who is to blame? FECAFOOT has been known to be a CASH-COW for a privileged few. I now can understand why, those guys would even betray their Mamas and Fathers to KEEP their Jobs. Why can;t the authorities for once ROUND UP ALL THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE BRINGING DISREPUTE TO THE COUNTRY
Finally, and 4 Tok True: Of what economic importance are these games to the average citizen who barely survives on less than a DOLLAR / Day? What happens to the "rushly built" edifices once the dust settles after one month and all the Delegations are gone back to their various countries? How much Money will the country generate during these games and what purpose will it serve?...Schools?, Hospitals?, Roads? Bridges?, Agriculture?, Industries? I am just asking. Who will control the final "NKAP"? Fecafoot? Ministere de Sports? Ministere du Budget? Ministere des Finances?...or the all mighty omnipotent ever present Presidence de la Republique? Something does not add up. Wuna tell me honestly.
Mbang Nfor Mishe Fon
The Matrufon of Alamatu, Mankon
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