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By Basil K Mbuye
The ongoing impasse between Samuel Eto’o’s Cameroon Football Federation,FECAFOOT, and Joseph Bell Antoine’s National Office for Infrastructure and Sports Facilities ,ONIES, has forced many football clubs in Cameroon to return to outdated and substandard playing conditions.
This unfortunate turn of events has left teams grappling with the challenges of competing on dusty pitches where safety and security measures are often inadequate. The decision to go back to such stadiums came after FECAFOOT recently issued an open letter to all clubs detailing the various challenges it faces in securing appropriate stadiums for the ongoing Elite One and Elite Two championships. Amidst these difficulties, the federation has urged teams to take the initiative to determine their own playing venues, reflecting the severe limitations of the current situation. The financial strain on many clubs has led them to resort to makeshift stadiums that are far from ideal, as the prohibitive costs associated with renting modern facilities have stymied efforts to provide a proper playing environment.
In light of these pressing concerns, FECAFOOT has rolled out a new revenue distribution model for match-day gate receipts, set to be implemented starting from matchday 8. This reform is intended to establish a more transparent framework for distributing funds generated from ticket sales. Under the new guidelines, home clubs that own their stadiums will retain a significantly larger share, taking 70 per cent of the revenue. The body in charge of running the Elite Championships ,CTFP will receive 23 percent, local municipalities will acquire 5 percent, while the public treasury will claim the remaining 2 percent.
In cases where matches are held in rented stadiums, the financial distribution shifts dramatically. Here, FECAFOOT will take 70percent of the revenue while the home team gets 23percent, with municipalities and the public treasury still receiving their respective shares of 5per cent and 2 per cent. This shift in financial policy aims to incentivize clubs to either enhance their facilities or explore more affordable options for hosting matches.
As a direct consequence of this new revenue model and the inability to secure reasonable rental agreements with ONIES, several clubs have chosen to revert to their previous stadiums, many of which they had vacated just four years ago in search of better facilities. This development is noteworthy, especially for clubs like Yong Sports Academy from Bamenda, which will now host their home games at the Yong Francis Arena located in Mile 6 Nkwen. On the other hand, PWD Bamenda has also made a strategic decision to relocate its matches to the Mankon Municipal Stadium. Meanwhile, ISOHSA of Limbe is waiting on FECAFOOT for approval to use the Tiko Town Green Stadium, after facing prohibitive costs of FCFA 550,000 per game to rent the Limbe Centenary Stadium.
The financial burdens associated with high-standard stadium rentals have compelled FECAFOOT to encourage clubs to opt for more budget-friendly alternatives for their home matches. Despite negotiations between FECAFOOT and ONIES, discussions have not produced favourable rental rates, thereby forcing teams back to the less desirable and often neglected playing fields.
This regression to outdated stadiums, characterized by a lack of essential amenities and inadequate security, poses significant concerns for the growth and development of football in Cameroon. It serves as a stark reminder of an earlier era when conditions were far from professional, raising fundamental questions about the future trajectory of the sport as it contends with various logistical and financial challenges. The state of Cameroon football remains precarious, and stakeholders must urgently address these issues to avoid further decline.
