In a strong response to Thursday’s controversial ruling by the Mfoundi High Court in Yaoundé, the Cameroon Volleyball Federation (FECAVOLLEY) has declared that the decision has no bearing on the federation’s operations or the legitimacy of its current leadership.
The court ruling, which purportedly invalidated the January 2023 general assembly and subsequent election of Bello Bourdanne as president, has been dismissed by the federation as an improper intervention that disregards prior decisions from higher judicial authorities.
Higher Court Already Settled the Matter
FECAVOLLEY’s official statement points to a previous ruling by the Court of Appeal of the Centre Region in Yaoundé, dated September 22, 2023, which had already affirmed the legitimacy of the process.
“The Court of Appeal clearly indicated in its operative part that ‘the convening of the General Assembly of January 3, 2023, by two-thirds of FECAVOLLEY members is regular and in conformity with the federation’s statutes,'” the statement emphasized.
The federation argues that the Mfoundi High Court inappropriately ruled on matters already settled by this superior court decision, particularly concerning the status of Mr. Matip Elias, who acted as representative of two-thirds of the 2013 General Assembly members.
Banned Former President Behind Legal Challenges
FECAVOLLEY’s statement also highlights that the legal challenges are being driven by former president Julien Serge Abouem, who is currently serving a ban from the National Olympic and Sports Committee of Cameroon (CNOSC) until 2032 for ethical violations.
“Abouem is under definitive sanction from the CNOSC until the end of 2032 for violations of ethical rules,” the federation noted, adding that he had previously withdrawn all proceedings at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Evidence of Internal Collusion
The federation revealed evidence of what it describes as a coordinated attempt to undermine its operations, citing an official document dated August 20, 2024, that allegedly demonstrates collusion between certain administrators and the former president.
“This document provides sufficient evidence of a plot to paralyze the smooth internal running of public volleyball services in Cameroon,” the statement asserted.
International Recognition Remains Firm
Despite the ongoing legal challenges, Bello Bourdanne continues to receive recognition from key international governing bodies. The Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB), which is recognized by the Federation of International Volleyball (FIVB), has firmly supported Bourdanne’s presidency.
Last year, Bourdanne was elected president of CAVB’s Zone Four, further cementing his international standing in the sport’s governance.
Focus Remains on Sport Development
Despite these distractions, FECAVOLLEY has reaffirmed its commitment to prioritizing the development of volleyball in Cameroon.
“Faced with this situation, FECAVOLLEY wishes to reassure the sporting family that our focus remains on the game and preparing for future sporting victories,” the statement concluded.
The federation’s leadership continues to view the legal challenges as an impediment to the progress of volleyball in Cameroon, with Bourdanne calling for stakeholders to remain focused on the sport’s development rather than administrative disputes.
