Cameroonian football clubs are set to receive a financial boost with a 560 million FCFA subsidy. But confusion over how the funds will be distributed has raised concerns, following contradictory instructions from the Ministry of Sports and an earlier circular from the Prime Minister’s office.
The Cameroonian government has allocated 560 million FCFA to support football clubs in the country’s top two leagues, MTN Elite One and MTN Elite Two. This subsidy aims to aid player salary payments, promoting the development of professional football in Cameroon. Initially, FECAFOOT announced that the National Association of Cameroon Footballers (ANFC) would oversee the distribution of funds to clubs. The ANFC’s role involved verifying player numbers, collecting payment justifications, and submitting reports to FECAFOOT.
However, in a surprising turn of events, the Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Prof Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, stated that the funds would be distributed directly to the 33 concerned clubs, comprising 16 Elite One and 17 Elite Two teams. The Minister instructed club presidents to submit their bank identity statements within 72 hours, ensuring efficient distribution with 2/3 of funds reserved for Elite One clubs and 1/3 for Elite Two clubs. Shortly after this, The Secretary General at the Presidency, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, notified the Minister of Sports that the government has released 560 million FCFA to FECAFOOT’s Accounting Officer for disbursement to football clubs.
This decision has sparked controversy, particularly since a finance act circular signed by the Prime Minister on December 31, 2025, stated that funds would be channeled directly to the Ministry of Sports. This episode adds to a history of friction between the Ministry of Sports and FECAFOOT, often characterized by disputes over competence and financial autonomy.
