Sports
COVID-19: Cameroon Footballers To Get Financial Help
Cameroon’s football federation, Fecafoot, has promised upto 40 million Fcfa, around $88,000, to 1,040 players and coaches in the country’s domestic championships affected by the suspension of football due to Coronavirus.
The funds will go to 44 clubs, with 18 from Cameroon’s top-tier league, 14 from the second division, and 12 from the women’s domestic championship.
Fecafoot suspended all football activities across the country on 17 March, but the financial consequence of this decision has taken a toll on clubs in the central African nation’s domestic championships.
“It’s a very difficult moment around the globe and football has been greatly impacted,” Fecafoot president Seidou Mbombo Njoya told Tidesports source
“Footballers unfortunately are amongst those who are the hardest hit by this ailment. We think it’s crucial that we help them sail through this difficult period.
“We have decided to help the clubs and the players. These are people who earn a living solely from football and for many it’s hard being at home without any source of income. That’s why we think it’s only normal for us to come their aid.
“Our role is to protect the players and coaches. We’ve informed the various teams on the measures to curb the spread of the disease and now we have decided to pay out some money directly to those involved in the most transparent manner.
“Football is a uniting sport and in such a difficult period, there should be more solidarity.’’
Eight hundred players and coaches have been drawn from Cameroon top and second tier men’s leagues, while 240 players and coaches were retained from the women’s leagues.
In a press release, Fecafoot stated that 25 players and coaches will be retained per a men’s team, while 20 players per outfit from the women’s championship will benefit from the gesture.
However, this disparity in the number of players selected per team has sparked some discussion, with some accusing Fecafoot of undermining women’s football.
“We arrived at the figures after having discussed with the presidents of the men and women’s leagues.
“With the women’s championship, it was discovered that due to limited resources, some teams start the championship with fewer players. Only a handful have a roster of about 18 players unlike in the men’s championship where some teams begin the season with as many as 30 players.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
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