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Flashmag ! Issue 152 August 2024
Cameroon ’ s forward Benjamin Moukandjo ( L ) and Cameroon ’ s defender Nicolas Nkoulou ( R ) are handed the winner ’ s trophy by Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba as President of the Confederation of African Football ( CAF ) Issa Hayatou ( 2nd L ) looks on as the team celebrates beating Egypt 2-1 to win the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations final football match between Egypt and Cameroon at the Stade de l ’ Amitie Sino-Gabonaise in Libreville on February 5 , 2017 . ( Photo by ISSOUF SANOGO / AFP ) ( Photo credit should read ISSOUF SANOGO / AFP via Getty Images )
Issa Hayatou was born on August 9 , 1946 in Garoua , a town in what was then French Cameroon . Born into a line of authority , his father being a local sultan , Hayatou was destined for a life of leadership . He excelled in athletics , becoming a national figure in basketball and track and field . His prowess on the field enabled him to hold national records in the 400 and 800-meter events . After his career as an athlete , Hayatou became a physical education teacher , where he honed his leadership skills .
Career as a sports leader at national and continental level
La carrière de Hayatou dans l ’ administration du soccer began at an early age . In 1974 , aged just 28 , he was appointed General Secretary of the Cameroon Football Federation , and his rapid rise continued when he became President of the Federation in 1986 .
His influence grew and , in the same year , he was elected to the CAF Executive Committee . Following the withdrawal of Ethiopia ’ s Ydnekatchew Tessema from the CAF presidency in 1987 , Hayatou was elected the fifth President of the Confederation of African Football ( CAF ), a position he held for almost three decades , until 2017 .
During his presidency , Hayatou was instrumental in strengthening the presence of African soccer on the international stage . He successfully lobbied for more African teams to take part in the FIFA World Cup , increasing their representation from two to five teams in 1998 , and then to six when South Africa hosted the tournament in 2010 . He also increased the African Cup of Nations from 8 to 16 teams and , under his leadership , CAF introduced several club and youth competitions , including women ’ s and futsal tournaments .
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