The huge cost of travelling to the World Cup is hindering the amount of support Cameroon are likely to receive in the Far East.
A trip to Japan to support the Indomitable Lions will set the average fan back about 1,350 dollars, according to officials of the Cameroon football federation Fecafoot.
The gap between the numbers who wish to attend and those who actually will is very wide. Fecafoot figures show that while individuals and companies intending on going have reserved for nearly 1,000 tickets, only two have been paid for.
Cash not wishes
Pascal Etoundi, Fecafoot’s official in charge with the operation, says that this has meant fans will no longer be able to reserve tickets from the association.
“We need cash now, not wishes any more,” Etoundi says.
Though companies are offering places for less than 2700 dollars, no fans have paid yet.
Will there be any fans to watch Cameroon celebrate?
The companies too have only booked reservations.
Even the Ministry of Culture, which usually sponsors dancers to drum up support for the Lions, has not paid for the 80 tickets they demanded.
The cost may not only hinder a large group of fans from going to cheer their team in the World Cup.
Determined fans
The press in Cameroon is also facing much the same dilemma.
Only journalists of the government radio and TV are sure to be able to cover the event, while the others from the private media are hoping government will grant them subsidies.
But in spite of the high cost of travelling to Japan for the World Cup, some Cameroon fans have declared their intention to be there.
“No matter the odds, we must have at least 20 fans in Japan,” promises Jules Simo Fotso, president of a supporters’ association, Aslic.
