Book Launch:

‘Golden Book’ Reviews 60 Years of Cameroon Football

By Doh Bertrand Nua in Yaounde

A book reviewing the contribution of football and football legends to Cameroon’s unity and indivisibility has been published. The book titled: “Golden Book of Cameroon Football” also highlights President Paul Biya’s contribution to the growth and development of football in Cameroon since ascending to power in 1982. 

               

A veritable reference document published by the Cameroon News and Publishing Corporation, SOPECAM, the ‘Golden Book’ is prefaced by President Paul Biya, while the postscript is penned by erstwhile CAF President, Issa Hayatou.

                Chairing the book launch at the Yaounde Hilton Hotel, on Friday 21 February 2020, Communication Minister, Rene Emmanuel Sadi, hailed the initiative by SOPECAM and praised President Paul Biya’s contribution towards the development of football.

                Sadi described the publication as a “wonderful and timely piece” coming barely weeks to Cameroon’s hosting of the African Nations Championship, CHAN and the 2021 African Cup of Nations.

                The launch was attended among others by the Director of Civil Cabinet at the Presidency, Samuel Mvondo Ayolo, government ministers, past and present football stars, football managers, football lovers, stakeholders and sport journalists.

                Veteran Indomitable Lions represented by two former captains - Emmanuel Mve and Stephen Tataw, saluted the initiative of a ‘Golden Book’ which touches on every aspect of Cameroon football for past 60 years and its role in fostering the country’s unity.

                The duo thanked SOPECAM for immortalizing their contribution to nation building in the publication, qualifying the book as a reference document for football in the continent.

                Stephen Tataw particularly qualified the book as a tribute to President Biya. He expressed gratitude on behalf of all football legends, who fought hard to make the country’s name adorned in the annals of world football.

                The 263-page bilingual publication is sub-divided in chapters with incisive and captivating testimonies of the Lions, trainers, sports leaders and other informed observers.

                It focuses on the genesis of Cameroon football, President Biya’s engagement, lions’ brand, major strides, key victories, challenging years, major actors, Cameroon and international football bodies, legendary clubs as major nurseries, touch of feminine football, football as a passion, infrastructure, ensuring relay, Hayatou at the helm of CAF national teams, clubs and youth football and training centres among others issues.  

                It highlights the President’s contribution to football and sports in general and the indomitable Lions in particular, indicating that it is under the New Deal regime that the glorious era of the Indomitable Lions began from 1984 to 2017 with five AFCON trophies, six participations in the World Cup, qualification for the world cup quarter-finals, winning the Olympic gold medal in football in 2000 etc.

                Printed entirely in colour and on glossy paper, the book is produced in two versions (a classic version bound with a leather cover and enclosed in a box, and the standard version).

It is sold at FCFA 50.000 for the classic version, and 25000 for the standard version.

                Some football managers, legends and fans who spoke to The Median including notably Karl Enow Ngutchu, DG of the Cameroon Football Academy, ANAFOOT, hailed the initiative by Sopecam, describing it as timely and historic.

                The beckoned on all who can afford to buy a copy of the book, so as to keep themselves abreast of the glorious days of Cameroon football.