Rene Katch
Cameroon can now boast of world class sport infrastructures befitting of its status as one of the giants of African football.
The country has invested hundreds of billions of FRS CFA on these infrastructures including hotel facilities. Experts have rated the Olembe stadium as one of the best in the World while the Japoma stadium prides its self amongst the top 10 stadiums in Africa.
Constructed in 1972, the Amadou Ahidjo stadium has also been given a new facelift just like the Bepanda Reunification stadium in Douala which passes for one of the best in the central African sub region, but that will only be used as a training field during the 2021 Afcon.
The OPEC city of Limbe also stands tall with three stadiums notably the Ngeme, the Centenary and middle farm stadiums. The city has also been embellished with beautiful hotels and other lodging facilities just like neighbouring Buea that will also have a feel of the 2021 Afcon.
What about the West Region that has been given a particular touch infrastructure wise. The Kouekong stadium has added to the long queue of sports facilities that have made the region and country tall and proud amongst several others in Sub Saharan Africa.
The Roumde Adja stadium has been renovated and its capacity increased. Garoua now has one of the most beautiful hotels around just like its road infrastructures that have also been refurbished.
One thing is certain, Cameroon’s infrastructure for posterity is guaranteed as the country will now be a perfect candidate for any high profile competition anytime any day.
There is no doubt that Cameroon will be a highly solicited destination for several African countries who will choose to play their home games here. The Central Africa Republic, Liberia and several others had already been seduced by the beauty and charm of the Japoma stadium. They played their home matches here during the qualifiers to the 2022 FIFA World cup.
After the Africa cup of Nations local footballers would surely have a modicum of choices and will now be able to fully express themselves on state of the arts pitches. This is thanks to government and other stakeholders who have massively invested in the country’s sport infrastructure for posterity.
But while other regions continue feel the warmth that often come along with the Africa cup of nations, some regions are still to have a single football stadium. The alarming case of the North West region makes for grim reading. The East, the South, the Adamawa and the Far North Regions must also be given due consideration sooner than later.
