2019 AFCON : Sports boss updates the press on CAF’s Mission
The Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Bidoung Mpkatt has faced press men and women ahead of CAF’s first inspection mission in Cameroon on the sidelines of the 2019 AFCON.
The press briefing this Wednesday 10th January 2018 at the Yaounde Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium comes a day to the 14-day mission of CAF in the Country.
In a patriotic tone,Minister Bidoung Mpkatt who doubles as the President of the Local Organising Committee of the 2019 AFCON (COCAN) said the visit of CAF comes on the heels of President Paul Biya’s reasurance of Cameroon’s engagement to host the big foootball event.
In his speech,the Sports Minister revisited history which puts it that, Cameroon last hosted the AFCON (8th edition) some forty-six ago, therefore this is a chance for Cameroon to boldly write her name on the wall of fame again,this time in a memorable way.
In elaborate terms, the Minister spelt out the activities of the COCAN since its creation on 11th August 2017 to ensure a successful 2019 AFCON.
The Minister praised the COCAN for its frequent visits at the sites and facilities that have greatly recoreded progress in the state of work.
Borrowing from the Minister,work has intensified at the sites and facilities shortlisted to host the 24-teams during the 2019 AFCON.
He cited the advancement of construction works at the 60000-seater Olembe Stadium most especially with the arrival of 231 containers of precast materials from Italy.
The Minister did not forget the 50000-seater Japoma Stadium in Douala that for sometime now been a busy hub with work.
Concerning the Garoua Rumdi Aja Stadium,the Yaounde,Limbe,Douala and Bafoussam Omnisport Stadia amongst others,the Minister said preliminary rehabilitation works are at its peak to give the structures a CAF taste.
On the sidelines of hotel facilities,health,communication,transport,security amongst others,Minister Bidoung Mpkatt said in a rather reassuring tone that the state of progress on these facilities is visibly satisfactory.
In a very important note,the Minister lauded the work that has been done by the press and further pleaded with them to be professional in exhibiting their task.
He emphatically cautioned the full hall of press men and women that they have a big role to play in the success of the 2019 football jamboree.
On a more decisive way,the Sportsman said the Ministry is poised to increase the number of the press briefings in the near future so as to update the Cameroonian and the international press on the level of advancement.
The Minister was on this outing with the Government’s Spokes person,the Minister of Communication,Issa Tchiroma Bakary,the President of the Normalistaion Committee at FECAFOOT,Barrister Dieudonne Happi and his close collaborators.
It is worth noting that the first CAF Mission that starts this Thursday 11th January 2018 and ends 25th January 2018 will be carried out as follows;
The team will visit the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium and the Olembe Stadium on January 12th and 13th.
The team will later travel to Garoua on January 14th and 15th and move to Bafoussam on the 16th January 2018.
On the 18th and 19th,the inspection team will make appraisal of the works at the Jopoma and the Douala reunification Stadium undergoing rehabilition.
From there, the delegation will go to Buea and Limbe on January 20 and 21st to furtther inspect the facilities sidelined to play host during the big football event.
The crew returns to Yaounde where they will spend the 22nd to rest and on 23rd January 2018 the visiting delegates will visit the CAF Excellence Centre in Mbankomo to mark an end to their stay in Cameroon.
Benly Anchunda