In Cameroon, the Ministry of Sports’ interference is no longer a rumor it is a mode of governance. In the absence of solid public policies to provide drinking water, a functioning education system, or reliable electricity, the State seems to invest all its energy in sports not for development, but for infiltration, nepotism, and chaos.
The Marc Brys Affair: Exposing the Ministry’s Double Game
The Marc Brys saga has shed light on the dubious practices of a ministry willing to do anything to maintain control over federations that are supposed to be autonomous. The Belgian coach, after submitting his resignation to FECAFOOT via a bailiff, later retracted it, claiming his email was hacked, an act both pathetic and disgraceful. This reversal, secretly supported by the ministry, aimed to contain explosive leaks regarding hidden contracts and kickbacks.
In truth, Brys did not just resign according to several sources, he also exposed the embarrassing behind-the-scenes details of his recruitment and unofficial benefits paid to certain ministry officials. This revelation was the final spark in a powder keg of conflicts of interest, manipulation, and political vendettas.
FECAVOLLEY: Diplomacy Humiliated by State-Level Amateurism
The women’s volleyball scandal is even more serious. An illegitimate delegation, supported by the ministry against the legitimate president Julien Serge Abouem, attempted to obtain visas from the Brazilian embassy. The attempt failed thanks to a warning from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX) and the firm stance of the Supreme Court, which had already ruled in favor of the legitimate executive.
Instead of respecting these decisions, the ministry tried a dubious maneuver: passing off the rogue delegation as a “public service mission” using official service passports. This is a form of diplomatic fraud that could have triggered an international crisis had the Brazilian authorities been deceived.
This is not the first time: in January 2025, in Zurich, 19 fake Cameroonian handball players were arrested for attempted illegal entry. Who led the group? A senior official from the Ministry of Sports.
Why Such Interference?
There are several reasons:
A Republic Held Hostage
This goes far beyond sports. It is a governance crisis and a hijacking of public interest in favor of petty political and mafia-like calculations. By sacrificing the credibility of its federations, Cameroon exposes itself to diplomatic isolation and international disrepute.
When federations become the battlefield for power-hungry bureaucrats, it is Cameroonian youth that pays the highest price—the same youth lacking clean water, electricity, scholarships, or sports infrastructure, yet fed patriotic illusions while others plunder the State.
Conclusion: Time for a Clean Break
Cameroon must choose: continue to tolerate these abuses or restore the legitimacy and autonomy of its sports institutions. This requires deep reform of the Ministry of Sports, a judicial investigation into the Brys and FECAVOLLEY cases, and a full audit of all sports-related contracts and funding.
The country’s credibility is at stake. Its youth is at stake. The honor of the Republic is at stake.
