Horst Widmann, Vice President of Puma, the sportswear manufacturer and sponsor of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon has been explaining the fruitful cooperation ties reigning between his institution, Cameroon Football Federation, FECAFOOT, and the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon. In this interview granted The Post, Widmann tells us how the high tech bus was acquired for the Lions, the new outfit to be officially released in September 2009 and their readiness to prop the re-election of Iya Muhammed into the Presidency of FECAFOOT come May 2009. Excerpts:
How will you describe Puma’s relationship with FECAFOOT?
We started cooperation with Cameroon football in 1994. This was during the era of the then President, Vincent Onana. We signed our first contract in Paris. 1998, Iya Muhammed stepped in, now as the President of FECAFOOT. We have had a very good relationship with Iya, for the past 11 years and the contract between Puma and FECAFOOT is at different levels. We are presently in talks to renew the present contract which ends in 2010.
It is possible that we get into a new contract which may last up 2014. Iya wants to be re- elected as FECAFOOT President in May, and we are trying to see in what way we can help. One of the ways was has been the acquisition of this new high tech bus of the Indomitable Lions, which was presented to the public on Tuesday, March 3. It was Iya’s initiative, after haven’t observed what obtains with the national teams of Ivory Coast, Ghana and Senegal. The national team should have the feeling that they are on the world class level. Having the same bus like the national teams of Germany, France and Italy is fantastic.
How involved was Puma in the acquisition of this Bus?
I handled the negotiation with Mercedes in Germany. After a series of meetings, Mercedes offered a 50 percent reduction, 22.000 Euros (FCFA 150million) which was their contribution. The rest of the money was financed by the contract between PUMA and FECAFOOT which is about the same amount.
What will be the impact of this bus on the National Team of Cameroon?
I have been in this business for about 40 years and when you look at players, a lot happens in their mines. For any team to be successful, the players must have the feeling that they are being given the best possible treatment from the federation. This bus will act as a motivation for the qualifying rounds of the 2010 world cup.
What more has Puma been doing to improve the game of football in Cameroon?
Before Puma became the official sponsor, Cameroon had little suppliers, small companies that wasn’t professional in their operations. With Puma, it was the first big contract and the federation was able to bank on the potentials of the national team to attract us. You can only do this and invest money when the results are good. We have been organising training camps for both the national team and the various youth squads in France and Germany.
This is to enable them prepare in the best possible way ahead of competitions. We have organised a lot of friendly matches not only for the national team but the youth teams as well. Sometimes, we get the German Football Federation to invite the team and an instructor from within. We need Cameroon to make our brand popular. It is a step by step approach. You could see the impact of the one piece kit; it was a popular story around the world, a good innovation for our brand.
The one-piece kit turned out to be a problem for Cameron instead?
I don’t think so!! The wasn’t any backlash. We had a fight with FIFA, because the rules stipulated that players must wear a shot, shirt and footwear, the one piece kid respected all of these norms. And you could see that we won our battle. It was nothing negative for the team and the six points you made mention were reinstated. The entire world talked about it.
What time frame do you give to change the design of the national team outfits?
We have an international label for our teams world wide. Now, there are 27 of them, 12 from Africa. Of course, Cameroon is one of our big teams. We have people who create designs for us every four years. Right now, we are working hard and Cameroon will have a new outfit design in September.
Three new shirts of different colours representing the green, red, yellow of the national flag, for the African Cup of Nations in January and the World Cup in June 2010. These designs are often discussed with the various sports authorities of your country. We have talked to the President of the federation, the coach and others who matter in the management of the team about the new designs. You heard about the contest for a new mascot for the Lions, That is another novelty we are bringing to Cameroonian Football.
It is alleged that Puma has had a hidden hand in the hiring of coaches for Cameroon?
Officially, I can tell you that I helped hire Winfred Schafer years ago. It was a Puma deal in collaboration with the sports authorities in Cameroon. FECAFOOT was highly involved and the was a special cooperation with the Minister at the time, which worked out well.
What about Otto Pfister? Another German, who is the coach of the Lions?
No! No! We were never involved. Otto Pfister came through another channel and I think there are still conflicts between him and FECAFOOT Boss. However, that is a problem of the federation. We can only do something when Mr. Iya asks us to do. If the President of the federation ask me to help him look for a coach I will consider it, even now.
Any message to Cameroonian football fans?
My only message is that they should help the national team. We can only continue to support the team as we are doing with all our might, if there are positive results. I would say good luck to the Lions.
Interviewed By Bernard Manyo
