2016 Women's AFCON: sports infrastructure meet challenges

One of the major successes recorded by Cameroon during this edition of the competition is its state of infrastructure. Prior to the start of the competition, Cameroon had taken the option and commitment to develop its sporting facilities throughout the nation in a vast programme called the National Program for the Development of Sports Infrastructure in order to meet all organisational challenges.

The newly constructed Limbe Ominsports Stadium and the renovated Yaounde Omnisports Stadium are all part of the programme. Fans and supporters in Yaounde and Limbe thronged the stadiums not only to watch the matches but to also admire the infrastructure.

Throughout the competition, the refurbished Yaounde Omnisports Stadium together with its two annex stadiums served as training grounds for the teams in Pool A. The stadium which was entirely renovated for the 2016 Women’s AFCON meets FIFA standards.

At the North wing of the stadium, two giant screens were erected for the opening and closing ceremony, four pylons of 60m high each carrying a total 240 projectors clarified the stadium and also enable matches to be played at night. The press stand which is under the presidential tribune is among the major innovations. The stand is equipped with all modern commodities notably electricity, internet connection and telephone to facilitate the work of media men.

The Limbe Omnisports Stadium is located at the Ngeme areas about 8 km west of Limbe. Its capacity stands at 20,000 seats and according to internal stadium customary norms; the stadium sets its main stand on east side. The Centenary stadium and annex stadiums of Limbe Omnisports facility also served as training grounds for the AFCON 2016 in Limbe.

It was therefore in these modern infrastructures that the different dance groups and fans drawn from all the nooks and crannies of the country watched every stage of the tournament with satisfaction and enthusiasm.