The Cameroon Football Federation and Onies Move Toward Agreement on Stadium Rental Costs

The Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot), under the leadership of Samuel Eto’o, has identified a possible partner in the National Office of Infrastructure and Sports Equipment (Onies), which is led by Joseph-Antoine Bell, to tackle issues related to the steep stadium rental costs.

After a prolonged break, the Elite One and Elite Two championships have resumed, during which Fecafoot expressed dissatisfaction with the high charges set by Onies for stadium access. Faustin Blaise Mbida, Secretary General of the Transitional Council of Professional Football (CTFP), described the invoices as “scary,” citing Eto’o’s vision to create “the best championship in Africa” as motivation to renegotiate these fees.

According to journalist Nana Paul Sabin, Onies has expressed readiness to compromise. During a steering committee meeting chaired by Bell, potential solutions were discussed to reduce the financial burden on Fecafoot. This collaboration could prove mutually beneficial: Onies would address its struggles to rent facilities, while Fecafoot could secure affordable venues for scheduling championship matches.

A deal between the two sides might be a big step toward bettering Cameroonian football and preventing infrastructure issues from impeding the development of domestic competitions. The results of these important talks are anticipated by both fans and stakeholders.