Pan-African foundation to reward past players during AFCON

Football heroes in the African continent who had brought glory to their countries of origin at all levels of the king sport, when there were practically little monies in the game, are to be rewarded at AFCON 2015 at Equatorial Guinea the 7th of February 2015.

The initiative was taken by a handful of the game’s advocates drawn from Cameroon, Egypt, Nigeria and other countries as disclosed by Dr.Banao, the interim President from Burkina Faso at the Sawa Hotel last Tuesday Jan 13 during an awareness Campaign organized by Coral Media, a communication outfit based in Douala.

The promoters told enthusiastic attendants, among them the former Lion’s captain Stephen Tataw, Ekeke Eugene and others, that the idea to rehabilitate former ambassadors of the sport has been highly applauded at the continental level that is only waiting for a coordinated structure or offices to be provided, whereby funding of the project to be sourced from individuals, charitable organizations, the private and public sectors, will be managed.

Some of the arguments, reasons and intents given during a question and answer session to back this initiative are that the game was played mainly for patriotic other than money-making reasons as it is today. So these former stars and ambassadors were soon relegated to the background and forgotten without giving thought as to where they can still be useful to society, by so doing, provide them with a source of livelihood.

Other reasons one of the panelists, an ex-lion, Ekeke stated was the marginalization, if not stigmatization of ex-heros from position of responsibilities in issues that concern the game and handed to persons belonging to professions like doctors, lawyers and others, because of the money attraction without them being knowledgeable enough.

Similarly, the chair Dr. BANAO of the occasion stated that he will not take part in the organization’s structures because he is not an ex-footballer. He disclosed that the decoration ceremony is to happen on February 7.

"After this the players will be those to create and belong to their structures. They will be in charge of developing football in the continent. Through this, their social status will improve because they will be paid. They will have about ten domains for developing the game in Africa. This will include former club presidents and sports journalists. You do not need to have a doctorate degree or a MBA to manage football matters. This is how we see this concept. We have been working to realize this foundation for 6 years now."

He explained that because of the complexities found in different countries that could slow down the process, they decided to go continental. The interim president appreciated the sacrifice of Equatorial Guinea to host AFCON 2015. He also clarified that only those who had brought glory and former internationals will qualify for decorations for now. There will be no friction with football governing bodies.