Gabon has begun screening nearly 300 applications from sports associations as part of a government-led football reform drive, following the suspension of electoral processes in the country’s football federation and National Olympic Committee in April.

Sports Minister Paul Ulrich Kessany Zategwa said the reforms would enforce domestic administrative rules without undermining FIFA and other international sports governing bodies.

Zategwa stated this position in Libreville while opening proceedings of the Taskforce for the Renewal of Gabonese Football, established to drive reforms initiated by the government in April 2026.

He maintained that domestic regulatory oversight and compliance with international sports rules should reinforce each other rather than create a conflict between the state and football authorities.

“Our approach has never been about setting the State against international sports governing bodies, nor about challenging the autonomy of federations. Respect for international rules and the need to bring order to our sporting environment are not incompatible. On the contrary, they must reinforce one another,” the minister said.

He also expressed Gabon’s appreciation to FIFA, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for their understanding of the initiative and recognition of its objectives.

The reform process follows the government’s decision on April 13, 2026, to suspend electoral processes involving the National Olympic Committee and the Gabonese Football Federation (FEGAFOOT), amid concerns over the administrative status of several sports organisations.

To address the irregularities, the Ministries of Sports and Interior jointly established a One-Stop Administrative Service to help federations regularise their documentation and legal status.

According to the report, 13 Olympic federations, including FEGAFOOT, subsequently regularised their administrative positions, paving the way for elections within the National Olympic Committee.

A further step was taken on October 22 with the handover of official documents to the 27 associations that make up FEGAFOOT’s electoral college.

The government is also reviewing nearly 300 additional applications submitted by sports associations, with the process scheduled to continue until October 30. Integrity and background checks are being conducted as part of efforts to ensure that prospective sports administrators meet the required standards.

The measures are intended to establish a clearer administrative framework for sports organisations and strengthen accountability in the selection of their leaders.

Gabon’s approach places the country’s football governance reforms within the wider debate over the relationship between government oversight and the autonomy of national sports federations. FIFA regulations require member associations to manage their affairs independently, without undue third-party interference, while national authorities retain responsibilities under domestic law.

The government’s stated position is that administrative regularisation and cooperation with international governing bodies can proceed together.

The outcome of the process, particularly the arrangements for FEGAFOOT’s electoral procedures, will be an important test of how Gabon seeks to reconcile domestic regulatory requirements with international football governance standards.

Through the taskforce, the authorities say they intend to lay the foundations for a football administration based on legality, transparency and accountability, while maintaining dialogue with FIFA, CAF and other international sports institutions.

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