“CASES OF FRAUD HAVE DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY”
Why the change of host town from Bamenda to Yaounde?
“The decision was taken by hierarchy. I think it was to assemble all conditions, notably sports infrastructure, lodging and security of athletes and officials, necessary for a hitch-free school games. The population should come and watch scintillating sports finals in Yaounde. The cultural animation at Lycée Leclerc will also be an attraction.”
What sanctions await cheats?
“In case of fraud, the athlete is simply ousted from the games, the trainer and other school officials are suspended. However, it is worth mentioning that cases of fraud have dropped significantly thanks to aggressive sensitization.”
Of what benefit(s) is Fenassco ‘A’ games?
“Let me begin by thanking the government for financing the secondary school games. Of the about 500 million FCFA budget for this year’s games, the government allocated 150 million FCFA for the refurbishment and building of sports infrastructure. Lycée Leclerc, for example, has a new facelift. Through these games, students are also schooled on ethical and citizenship values, prerequisites for development. Thus, calls for division of Cameroon will not pass through schools. Also, the competition is a nursery for young talents. Many of our products have been called in the women’s football and athletics teams. Last year, three brilliant students got scholarships to study and fine-tune their sports talents in the USA. It was the fallout of our partnership with the Youth Academic Association. We call on other federations to work with us to detect sports talents so that we can resume Cameroon’s winning spree during major international sporting events.”
What balance sheet as Fenassco ‘A’ President?
“It is difficult to talk about one’s achievements. However, my bureau is credited for increasing the number of sports disciplines from 7 to 11 today; for introducing gender parity in the various games, and for Cameroon’s admission into the African School Games Federation, where I was elected executive member. I leave the other successes for the public to list.”