Pfister Installed, Paid FCFA 120 Million upfront

By Kini Nsom & Leocadia Bongben

New Indomitable Lions coach, Otto Pfister, was installed. Wednesday, November 7 amidst animosity between the Ministry of Sports and the Cameroon Football Federation, FECAFOOT.

Following the terms of the contract, Pfister signed at the Yaounde Hilton Hotel, FECAFOOT is not mentioned anywhere and the contract is between the Ministry of Sports and the coach.

Though FECAFOOT President, Iya Mohammed, sat at the table just like an observer, he promised total support for the coach as they had already done so in writing to the Minister.
Pfister was also paid FCFA 120 million upfront as six months salary, Sports and Physical Education Minister, Augustin Edjoa, disclosed.The money has been paid into Pfister's German account. As from the seventh month, he would be paid through his Cameroon account.

In reality, Pfister would receive FCFA 15 million while his assistant, who is in charge of physical training, would receive FCFA 5 million.In his speech, the Minister cautioned that sports federations should redefine their roles because the state has its role to play in the promotion of sports.Edjoa backed the appointment of coaches by the Ministry on the lack of financial autonomy by federations and the need to ensure a relay in the promotion of the policy of the Ministry.

The Post learned that the bone of contention lies in the coach being the technical director, which if removed there would be no further problems. In a press conference that followed, the new coach promised to give his best.He unveiled a programme, which he said his assistant has drawn.

According to the programme, training camp is billed for November 15 in Germany. The list of the players for the CAN 2008 would be known by November 30 and another camp for the players selected would be in Spain in January 14.

The coach stated that nobody would influence him and that if he has any difficulties he would discuss with his collaborators and find a way of resolving the problem.On questions concerning individual players like Etame Mayer, who have not featured in the team for long, the coach said it is too early to ask why this or that player has not been selected and maintained that last minute changes would be done.

Present during the installation were Gergoire Owona, Minster Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Relations with the Assembly, Minister of Women's Empowerment and the Family, Suzanne Bomback, the Government Delegate to the Yaoundé Urban Council and many other government officials.

Comments

[s.akamembulle]

We appreciate the good work of the appointment of the Coach at this crucial moment that we desperately needed one. The amount paid to the Coach is not a major cause for concern but Cameroonians will be happy if the Coach though appointed by the minister is allowed to do his work independently without any influence.We want our past glories to be restored.
Viva Les LIONS