The Entrepreneur - Cameroon's Premier Economic & Business Journal

Coton Sport Garoua Losses African Champions League Trophy

Egypt's Al Ahli won the African Champions League for a record sixth time after drawing 2-2 away at Coton Sport of Cameroon in Garoua on Sunday, November 16, 2008. The Cairo club won the final 4-2 on aggregate after a 2-0 triumph in the first leg a fortnight ago in Cairo.

Cameroon gets Tough World Cup Draw

By Mark Ledsom

Africa's top-ranked soccer team, Cameroon, were handed a tricky route to the 2010 World Cup after being drawn on Wednesday against Morocco, Gabon and Togo in Group A of the continent's third and final qualifying stage. The group will see Cameroon's German coach Otto Pfister pitting his wits against the Togo side which he coached through a chaotic 2006 World Cup campaign with players threatening to strike over allegedly unpaid bonuses.

Work starts on NEPAD submarine cable to be ready for FIFA 2010

Construction has begun on NEPAD's UHURUNET undersea cable network which is due to be completed in time to provide international communications for the 2010 FIFA World Cup that will take place in South Africa in 2010. The fibre optic submarine segment of the network will initially run from Durban, South Africa, to Port Sudan in Sudan. Construction of the cable means that African governments must start formulating policies that favour the development of ICT and communication networks in the region, said Radakrishan Roy Padayache, Ugandan Deputy Minister for Communication.

Using FIFA World Cup to promote Africa

An estimated 2.7 million spectators are expected to watch the FIFA World Cup's 64 matches in South Africa in June 2010 with a television audience of up to 2.8 billion for the final. In 2001 FIFA made a historic decision to stage the 2010 World Cup on the African continent and since then the emphasis has been on making it an African event, one that will help spread confidence and prosperity across the entire continent.

Mbango Etone keeps triple jump gold

By Simon Evans

Cameroon's Francoise Mbango Etone successfully defended her Olympic gold medal in triple jump with a jump of 15.39 giving her victory at the Bird's Nest Sunday, August 17, 2008. Russian Tatyana Lebedeva won the silver medal while Greece's Hrysopiyi Devetzi, silver medallist in Athens, had to settle for bronze. Mbango Etone, who coaches herself and trains with her sister, became Cameroon's first individual Olympic gold medallist when she won in Athens in 2004. "It's the best performance of my life. I am so happy," she said.

Franck Songo'o, son of Jacques Songo, cleared for Beijing Football Squal

FIFA have given Cameroon permission to use Portsmouth midfielder Franck Songo'o, son of former Cameroon goalkeeper Jacques Songo'o, at the Beijing Olympics football tournament, which starts on Wednesday. Cameroon have successfully applied for a switch in the national status of Songo'o, who although born in Yaounde had played at junior level for France.

South Africa choose Santana as next soccer coach

Brazilian Joel Santana is set to take over from compatriot Carlos Alberto Parreira as South Africa's national coach, the South African Football Association (SAFA) announced on Wednesday, April 23, 2008. Santana, who was recommended by Parreira, has accepted the post and SAFA chief executive Raymond Hack "will leave for Brazil at the weekend to finalise the contract and work permit requirements," the association said in a statement.//Reuters

S.Africa to spend over $3.7 billion on World Cup

South Africa will spend around 30 billion rand on hosting the 2010 World Cup, according to a report released on Tuesday, March 18, 2008. "This report shows we have complied with literally every guarantee we have made, we even went beyond that," Sports Minister Mike Stofile told the SAPA news agency. About 20 billion rand had already been made available for infrastructure investment, added Stofile at a ceremony to hand over the 2010 mid-term government report to the country's deputy president.

Sarah Etonge - Queen of the mountain embarks on a new Adventure

By Elvis Teke

Sarah Liengu Etonge, queen of the mountain and many times champion of the mount Cameroon race of hope, has signed a working contract with Samaritan Insurance Company. The ceremony which took place in Yaoundé was occasion for the Minister of Sports and Physical Education and that of Culture to pay tribute to a woman who has been a source of inspiration to other female athletes especially those taking part in the annual mountain race competition.

Football promotes peace and development, says Dr. Diouf

"FAO has always set great store by the power of sport in general, and professional football in particular, as a tool for peace and development and a means to mobilise political will and resources in the fight against global hunger." Against this backdrop, FAO’s Director-General Dr. Jacques Diouf yesterday welcomed the signing of a cooperation agreement beween the Organisation he heads and the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Mr. Hayatou, President of the CAF, also hailed the partnership, which he said confirms the support that the CAF has been giving to United Nations organisations in their struggle against the scourges that afflict the African continent and threaten humanity.