The training camp of the U-17 Lions that was initially scheduled to take place from July 2nd to 7th at the Fecafoot training centre in Odza-Yaounde, has been postponed sine die.

Contacted on the issue, the coach of the Cadet Lions, Richard Towa, said the deferment was due to organisational difficulties and that no date has been advanced for the organisation of the training camp. However, unconfirmed sources close to football circles say, the training camp has been cancelled and not postponed because the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education say there is no money to finance it.

Whether annulled or deferred, the decision is a great blow to youth football in the country, especially as it comes after the Cadet national team failed to take part in the Montaigu football tournament after training for weeks for the competition. Angered by the failure to honour the appointment this year, organisers of the tournament ruled out Cameroon from the tournament next year. After spending FCFA 60 million on bracelets tests, the Cameroon football federation also said there will be no youth championship this year, accusing club and football academies of reducing the ages of players. The Fecafoot decision was taken after 30 of the 45 players, who underwent the electronic bracelet test conducted by Dr Tamo in Douala, failed to pass the test. The bracelet test whose results remain disputable, consist of measuring the phalanges of the players and comparing them to those of their comrades within the accepted age group.

The cancellation of the training camp, the youth championship and elimination of players by bracelets tests, render the task of building a solid national U-17 selection very difficult for Richard Towa, especially as Cameroon is involved in the qualifiers of the 10th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations to take place in Morocco next year. Exempted from the first round, Cameroon joins the race in the second round in October. The Cadet Lions will play against the winner of the first round encounter between Benin and Liberia.