CI-NEWS

Mezam Divisional League kicks off in pomp and fanfare.

2019-07-02

No: 434

Mezam Divisional League kicks off in pomp and fanfare.

By Etoh Anzah George in Bamenda.

Relatively speaking, little or nothing is told about amateur football clubs in the journey of success of Cameroon’s world-class footballers as compared to their latter day club sides. The base of elite 1 and 2 clubs hold their evolution from the amateur or division 3 league where the clubs vie for a place at the regional league before playing knock-out matches for a grasp of a spot as a regional representative for the national mini Interpools and definitely the Elite 2 championship.

Though little is said, its evolution over the past 2 years has been marked with low-keyed activities owing to political reasons. Contrary to this trend, the 2019/2020 football season finally took off with a total of 10 teams. The 10 clubs which include Vision Athletic, Silver Spring, Mbengwi Rangers, Dream Team FC, Divine Grace, Avenir FC ,Abakwa boys, Young boys and Amity boys have been paired into 2 pools. They will have to play a direct knock-out group games with the aim of obtaining a ticket to enter the race for a North West regional league. After the group phase, they shall engage in away and return leg matches at the quarter and semi finals before proceeding to the finals where the divisional representative will be known.

To the president of FECAFOOT Mezam, Neba George, the competition has entered final gear and it is their hope that the envisaged and desired results in the days ahead will be harvested. While recounting the successes registered so far, he pointed out some issues surrounding the league. In this connection, he cited license problems. Most club presidents who visited us were unhappy with the unprofessional nature of the licences and the delays recorded, he bemoaned.

As one of the solutions, he said:“I have been advocating an autonomy of the North West regional bureau of FECAFOOT in the establishment of licences and it will continue to be my cry.If we are left and handed the power to do this we shall be able to have many more clubs join the race and fulfil my dream of having 20 clubs vie for a place by 2020.It’s true all was done for them to have these licences but our national bureau didn’t respond on time. As such the delays kept us in a tight corner.We have players who couldn’t play because their licences didn’t come. Some of these players are not just multi-talented but seem to be game makers and changers. Also some clubs whose licences came aren't even complete. As such, out of 23 players for a club just about 10 in a particular case can boast of licenses.”

Neba George also expressed regret at the state of pitches in the division which he said are a major call for concern. “Proper ball possession, ball control, dribbles and passes cannot be effected by our division which is pregnant with talented footballers.”

“We equally have a problem of transporting players because owing to the present socio-political face of affairs in the region many of these young lads have received threats from presumed separatist fighters and this has further hampered the turnout and created fear in them.”

He said “owing to the desire to see football grow higher than now it is therefore our clarion call that the forces that be look into a possible solution to our plight.”

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Mezam Divisional League kicks off in pomp and fanfare.