Cameroon’s Sports Minister faced a fierce grilling over the shambolic performance of the Indomitable Lions at this year’s World Cup in Brazil, at the highly anticipated question time.
Adoum Garoua was actually elected by the people to face the political probing held at the Chamber Ngoa-Ekellé on Friday and faced questions from MPs Oyono the Department of Ocean and Jean-Michel Nintcheu Wouri.
While under the spotlight, he orally responded to the concerns of deputies. However, according to sources close to the Ministry of Sports, Garoua was reading out pre-written answers like many of his government colleagues. But he chose the method "without edge."
Alphonse Ateba Ndoumou, head of communications at the Ministry of Sports, said: The first is the Honourable Oyono, of the Department of Ocean, whose question was whether the minister foresaw when football was becoming a source of ruin for the branding of Cameroon while football has long been a source of the good image of the country.
To this question, the minister responded by saying that a package is registered and that the Government anticipated to allow our sport in general to find a certain fluidity.
This includes the program of development of sports infrastructure which involves the versatile Sports Palace in Yaoundé, the stadium in Limbe and Bafoussam that are under construction and the next stages of rehabilitation in Yaoundé, Douala and Garoua. Then there is the construction of three major stadiums, one seating 60,000 in Yaoundé, 50,000 in Douala and another stage in Maroua.
“In terms of athletic ability, there is a detection program and training of sporting talent. Besides that, there is a regulatory package that must be offered to the hierarchy, which is such that all put into one another, should allow our football and our sport in general to become competitive because international competition is brewing in duration, with means, supervision and quality support."
Next to fire off a series of questions was Jean-Michel Nintcheu, some of which fell within the discipline of the Cameroonian delegation while some echoed the voices concerned with behaviour. He also insisted on querying the financial aspects.
Alphonse Ateba Ndoumou tells us: "In regards to the relationship between Fécafoot and the Sports Ministry, the Sports Minister said that there was no problem between the Chairman of the Standards Committee and himself contrary to what was relayed by some media."
“During the stay in Brazil, there was no particular misunderstanding between them. They went together to visit the players and attended to all the players in their respective fields of competence. There was no problem."
The same answer was given to the question about his relationship with Roger Milla particularly. The minister said that there was no problem and would consult Roger Milla whenever he has the opportunity.
“On the issue of differences in behaviour of some members of the delegation, the minister has not, during this visit, noticed any difference in behaviour of any kind.”
With regard to the budget released by the Government for the competition, the minister said the Honourable Nintcheu went to Brazil with a commissioner of the Department of Finance and a number of officials of the ministry.
They have not yet submitted their financial reports, because budget issues are also technical issues. But as soon as they become available we will transmit them. There are aspects that cannot be spoken about right now due to ongoing investigations and it may establish a number of elements of answers to other issues. It is proposed to give answers when experts who have studied the issue and who accompanied Brazil will vote in their technical report," promised Garoua.
The period of this homecoming coincided with the regular session of the National Assembly, attended by MPs and senators currently in Yaoundé.
