On Friday, June 26, 2026, Cameroon’s capital was charged with a rare emotion: Lys Fraîche Tiwa Melong, the female player of the year, and Serge Daura, the male player of the year for the 2025 edition, signed their 500‑square‑metre land titles, symbols of a promise fulfilled by the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) and its partner Eden Group.
The ceremony, organized by the federation’s second vice‑president Abdul Karimou, took place under the auspices of President Samuel Eto’o, who was absent but represented. Around a stage adorned with the national tricolour, the two winners received their official documents and were then escorted to the Mve 1 site on the outskirts of Yaoundé, where their new plots awaited them.
At the heart of the agreement is a 500‑square‑metre parcel for each footballer, a piece of land that organizers say should serve as a foundation for lasting improvements to their living conditions. Eden Group, the official partner of FECAFOOT, provided the titles, bringing to life an initiative announced at the start of the sporting year.
Abdul Karimou emphasized that “this handover materializes the federation’s commitment to supporting our talent beyond the pitch.” For his part, Eric Deassou Sezine, Eden Group’s operations director, reaffirmed the company’s resolve to “sustainably support excellence in Cameroonian football,” noting that the value of a land title goes beyond mere asset‑building to affect the players’ family stability.
Visibly moved, Lys Fraîche Tiwa Melong and Serge Daura walked the Mve 1 plot, taking in the land that now bears their names. Their proud reactions reflect a tangible recognition that goes beyond the trophy, offering a prospect of financial security and a post‑career life plan.
This handover fits into a broader strategy: valuing athletes through land ownership can reduce the precariousness that often afflicts footballers after retirement. By providing a tangible capital, FECAFOOT and Eden Group are creating a model where sporting success translates into lasting assets, encouraging young talent to pursue excellence while envisioning a stable future.
Will future winners also benefit from such support? The success of this inaugural handover could encourage other sponsors to replicate the initiative, reshaping the Cameroonian sports landscape. For fans, it assures that their heroes are not merely icons but also economic actors capable of contributing to local development.
