Cameroon to Launch National Football Academy as President Biya Fulfils Long-Standing Promise
By BBC News Staff
Cameroon is set to begin construction on a national football academy, four years after President Paul Biya first pledged to establish such a facility. The long-awaited project, aimed at developing football talent and expertise across the country, comes as Cameroon prepares to host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
According to Camfoot, President Biya has now signed a formal decree authorising the launch of the academy. The initiative mirrors the high standards of the Samuel Eto’o Football Academy and is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of Indomitable Lions.
The academy will serve multiple functions, including the training and development of young players, the education of coaches in both theoretical and practical football instruction, and the enhancement of national expertise in all football-related professions. It will also focus on the collection and dissemination of football documentation and support fundamental and applied research related to the sport.
This landmark step signals a major commitment by the Cameroonian government to institutionalise football development. While the idea was first introduced years ago, tangible progress had been elusive until now.
The timing of the announcement is also significant. With CAF officially awarding the hosting rights for the 2019 AFCON to Cameroon, there is a renewed focus on investing in infrastructure and sports development. The academy is expected to align with broader national efforts to elevate football standards and restore the country’s standing on the continental stage.
Details regarding the academy’s location, funding, and implementation timeline are yet to be disclosed. However, the project has been widely welcomed by football stakeholders, who see it as a vital step toward long-term growth and international competitiveness.
Cameroon, a five-time African champion, continues to produce world-class players, but critics have long called for more structured and state-supported systems to nurture young talent domestically.
President Biya’s decree could mark the beginning of a new chapter in Cameroonian football—one in which potential is not only identified but systematically developed.
Reporting by BBC News.
