FECAFOOT 2021 ELECTIONS: DECLARATION OF CANDIDACY
Dear friends,
am honoured and pleased to announce my candidacy for the Presidency of the Cameroon Football Federation. After caretul consideration, I have decided to take this initiative out of love for Cameroon and passion for our football.
To me, It would be an honour to be at the service of the establishment that has bestowed upon me the acoolades I have received so far. I stand before you on this special occasion becaune time is af the essence, Waiting is not an option. It is time to rebuild our football, We Can no longer delay the revamping of our number one sport because the rest of the world is moving on: it is progressing without us
In a few months, our country will host the African Cup of Nations. In addition to welcoming players and supporters trom sister African countries, as well as journalists and tourists from all over the world, it will equaly be an opportunity to present to the world the incredible pool of talent that our country has always been, and the strength of our football community. We must live up to the huge efforts invested by President Paul Biya and the entire Government, to provide our country with infrastructures worthy of our prestigious history. I see in it high expectations, an urgent appeal to put an end to the fruitless argurments that undermine the hamonious oganization of our sport. It is entirely up to us to make this event a historical success
In the medium term, our peaple's wish is that we look beyond our selfish interests in order to revive our local championships by ensuring their regularity, attractivenes and visiblity: it is equally imperative to rokindle the winning spirit within our national teams, to restore confidence in our professional resources so that both players and coaches can progross simultaneously and sustainably.
This reform shoulid also help modernise our federation by inplementing good governance practices. Let us be consistent: mermory serves, three years ago, I supported a project that in my opinion, seemed promising for the future of our football. Taking stock of its achieverments, I have no regrets, although expectations were not met. However, it in important to learn from thin setback in order to bring about a controled and well managed change.
This is why today. I undertake to submit a futuristic and innovative project, for the approval of the delegates you have elected. Driven by the conviction that those who have the necessary means and resources to develop our football must take off their hats ot kingmakers to become the actors of its development. Furthemore, if I intend to remain faithtul to the main guidelines of the programme that I will present to you, I intend to work as a team because 1 designed this project based on a spirit of partiipation and transparency, with regards to the elected representatives of our authorities and all Cameroonians of good will. We shall refine this programme together.
The project is wide-ranging, And if football itself needs shock therapy, its by-products, which are parts of Our federation, equally need it. We must regain and maintain a positive dynamic, like in beach soccer. In 2000, our team was African champion. In 2008, it reached the final bofore completely leaving the scene after two promising World Cup finals. Not to mention futsal, whose smooth running guarantees football development as a whole, as well as its technical aspects.
And since FIFA took over it at the end of the 80s, Cameroon has not been able to find its feet. Like in La Fontaine's fable, our country must not leave any earth unturned anywhere her hands can reach" Similarly, this winning spirit must take our women's football to the next level, Four-tirme finalists in the African Cup of Nations without a trophy at the end, we must prepare for the final battle by making training the bedrock of the victory that has eluded us since 1991.
Such a project and a vision need dedicated, committed and hard working people. That is why I am presenting my candidacy with the groundbreaking commitment not to pocket a cent of the monthly allowances provided for the position of Federation President.
These funds will be allocated for the development of amateur football based on a mechanism adopted by the members of the General Assembly. I am running for this position in order to attract external funding and not to reduce the already meagre revenues with unnecessary burdens.
Ultimately, the secret to addressing the challenge of rebuilding our football is to simply rementber who we are.
Indeed, dear friends, we are a country like no other. We are Cameroon. The land of the Indomitable Lions, the land of Samuel Mbappé Lepé, the homeland ol Roger Milla, the fatherland (native land) of Rigobert Song, Théophile Abega, Marc Vivien Foe and others... We are that country of fearless men and women, with reputable football clubs such as Canon, Tonnerre, Union de Douala, Dynamo de Douala, Cotonsport de Garoua, Racing de Bafpussam, Bamboutos de Mbouda, Aigle de Dschang. Unisport de Bafang, Caiman de Douala, Oryx, Léopard just to name a few, that have shown African sister nations that we can participate in the greatest world competitions without flinching in the face of adversity. Let our flag be our pride, let us demornstrate our best football to the world for it is our most valuable emblem. Consequently, our anthem will be echoed again and again in the community of nations.
Affectionately
Samuel Eto'o.