At close of June session of Parliament: Cavaye says calm reigning amid Sport ministry-FECAFOOT feud.

Cavaye was speaking at the close of the Second Ordinary Session of the National Assembly for 2024.

In his closing remarks, amongst other issues, Hon Cavaye brought members of parliament up to speed with the current atmosphere in the country’s national football team. 

According to the House Speaker, “calm has returned” after the standoff between the two institutions that has been dragging on for several months”. 

Despite stating that things had gone back to normalcy, Cavaye, expressed some concerns regarding the current state of affairs. 

He said: “I would like to think that the on-going calm is not a camouflage; the kind of calm that can be likened to fire that is glowing under ashes”.  

The President of the National Assembly added: “I am also hopeful that the voice of reason would continue to prevail and peace will, before long, finally reign among the national football team players themselves and among the technical and administrative staff or among government officials”. 

“I do not think I would be mistaken in asserting that like other disciplines, football is the bedrock of unity, fraternity and living together. We think the very essence of football is to bring people together and not to sow division,” the veteran lawmaker continued.

It is worth mentioning that the sports ministry and FECAFOOT have been at loggerheads over the appointment of a new technical team in charge of the men’s senior national football team

The dispute had reached a sickening climax, after FECAFOOT opposed the appointments made by the Sports ministry and went ahead to name its own technical team. 

 Cavaye praises Lions  

Meanwhile, speaking further at yesterday’s closing ceremony, Hon Cavaye seized the occasion to extend words of appreciation and encouragement to the staff and players of the national team for their recent impressive results. 

The Indomitable Lions remained top of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying group. 

The five-time African champions thrashed Cape Verde in Yaounde 4-1 before they were held to a 1-1 draw against Angola in Luanda. 

Cavaye commended the team but like Oliver Twist, urged them to do more. 

“We extend our congratulations and words of encouragement to our national football team, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon. Go lions and continue to grab more victories,” he said. 

 He also urged them to continue to grab victories.  

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3165 of Thursday July 10, 2024