Iya Mohamed wants reform
by So Sefeu Chiemba 03 December 2012, 08:37
Cameroon football federation president Iya Mohamed has proposed the restructuring of the country's football, starting from clubs.
Iya, in a recent press outing following the laying of the foundation for a new edifice for the Cameroon FA, listed some of the problems plaguing the country's football to include reliance on over aged players, division and a harsh environment.
From the national team to the junior team and clubs, all have failed to shine at major continental soccer competitions for over a decade.
The FA president says the problem arises from the base and the country's reliance on over aged players. "We have the intention to really restructure the teams. We are trying to solve the problem of over-aged players, this is the first time we are really sure of the ages of our players.
"We have depended much on old players, on players who have been playing for over 15 years. This is not normal; we have to take the courage to change things in the right direction," he said.
Iya also identified division among players and the harsh atmosphere surrounding the national team. "The environment, money has polluted the atmosphere. First, there is misunderstanding among players. They are in two or three groups and I have said football is a collective game".
The Cameroon football federation president who is apparently eyeing another mandate when elections hold in 2013, is appealing that they should be given time to fix the environment.
Apart from division and over aged players, allegations of corruption, in fighting and conflict between the FA and the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education have been seen in the decline of the country's football.
Even though Iya is shrugging off blame, the FA executive has, nonetheless, come under scathing criticisms for many of the Indomitable Lions' troubles. Fecafoot officials have been accused of shady deals and mismanaging money meant for the national and junior teams.
