Sports Federations In Troubled Waters

Some are suspended from international competitions, elections cancelled in others or rocked by power struggle.

Three federations, cycling, boxing and rugby are suspended from international competition for different reasons. The cycling federation was suspended by the International Cycling Union in February because of the poor organisation of the 2010/2011 editions of the International Cycling tour of Cameroon.

The lapses evoked included the non respect of schedule, non payment of bonuses to cyclists as well as lacunas in lodging and transportation of foreign delegations. The suspension of the cycling federation runs up to 2014 and Cameroon will only be readmitted on condition that they give assurance of good management. For now, the cyclists are being distracted with championships in Regions.

The boxing federation like football was suspended by the International Amateur Boxing Association, IABA, because of government interference. The incumbent, Bertrand Mendouga was barred from running for re-election by the Minister of Sports and Physical Education purportedly for failing to respect Olympic ethics. The president elect from the disputed election, Justin Tchwem is neither recognised by IABA nor by the National Olympic and Sports Committee since the Chamber of Conciliation and Arbitration cancelled the election.

The consequence of this suspension is that Cameroon will not take part in the upcoming senior African boxing championship to take place in the Mauritius Island in September. The central African championship which was supposed to hold in Yaounde, will no longer take place though many countries had already confirmed their participation.

The rugby federation like cycling was suspended for mismanagement by the confederation of African rugby, CAR. The federation is reproached for not participation in international competitions in 2012, absence of policy for the development of rugby and financial mismanagement. Cameroon will only be readmitted after an audit by CAR and whatever be the outcome, Cameroon will be relegated to the second division in Africa. For the mean time the country is suspended from all international competitions and subventions from the International Rugby Board.

In addition to boxing, rugby and cycling, elections have been cancelled by the Chamber of Conciliation in handball, wrestling. It is worthy to note that even the commission set up by the minister to over the election process in sports federations produced a damaging report recognising that there were flaws in the elctions. This comes to add to the 17 other federations that were suspended by the Minister of Sports and Physical Education prior to the elections. There are fresh problems in the judo federation as the president and first vice are at loggerheads.