Some three months on from the tragic death of Cameroon international Marc-Vivien Foe, the footballer’s family have still to receive any of the financial support pledged by the Cameroon government.Foe collapsed during a Confederations Cup semi-final game between Cameroon and Colombia in France on 26 June and died later that evening. Shortly after, the government in Cameroon announced they would financially assist Foe’s family in completing the sports complex that Marc-Vivien had started building in Yaounde.
Yet during a two-hour conversation with the midfielder’s father Martin at the family home in Yaounde, it became clear that Martin Foe’s main regret was that the government had not lived up to its promises.
« We have not yet received a penny from the government, » he explained.
So while they wait for governmental support, Foe’s family has re-launched the construction of the sports complex themselves.
« We are banking on family resources and Marc-Vivien’s insurance to complete the project and realise his dream, » Martin Foe explained.
In July, Foe was buried in the middle of the four-hectare sports complex in the Okoui neighbourhood of Yaounde.
The complex will cost about $6 million and, upon completion, will contain a football pitch, an athletics track, an Olympic-sized swimming pool and, amongst others, three tennis courts.
Disappointment
While Foe’s family and fans have gradually recovered from the shock, both have been expecting more from the government – particularly since Foe died in defence of national colours.
And fans have been particularly disappointed with the little honour given the footballer.
There is now a Stade Marc-Vivien Foe in Cameroon yet the ground is unimpressive and located in Akonolinga, a small town some 100 kilometres south of Yaounde.
Furthermore, although a street near the Foe family home was renamed Rue Marc-Vivien Foe, the plaque bearing the new name is very small – no bigger than an A4-sized piece of paper. The public had expected to see a larger placard which would match international honours given the footballer.
Marc-Vivien Foe was buried in the sports complex he was building
Praise
However, Martin Foe praised English Premiership side Manchester City, his son’s last club, for their continuing concerns about Marc-Vivien and his family.
City have not only retired the number 23 shirt worn by Foe last season, but have also offered a house to the footballer’s wife and three children.
« I want the children to continue their education in England, » Martin Foe explained.
« So (Marc-Vivien’s wife) Marie-Louise and the children will be staying there. »
Further international support will come from the charity game organised by the Cameroon FA and football’s world governing body Fifa.
The match is to be played in Lyon on November 11, and will feature a side made up of the best players from Foe’s former clubs – City and French clubs Lens and Lyon – for an exhibition match against Cameroon.
Martin Etonge
