Shortly before Kumbo strikers, the lone division one team in the North West province received their share of the MTN money last week, the Kumbo Urban Council attempted to bail out the team from its numerous financial problems, by donating One million FCFA.
While Brasseries du Cameroon has promised another one million FCFA to be offered next Friday. With a caretaker management team, Kumbo strikers are deep in debt and left with no money to pay players. After a league game against Cintra in Yaounde, the players brought their problems to the fore. No food and money. They were about to refuse attending practice sessions.
It was to arrest the situation that the council coughed out one million FCFA.
Mayor Njong Donatus Fonyuy handed the money to the team. Team captain, Ngwa Ferdinand confirmed to The Herald that players have received part payment of their sign on fees from the one million FCFA.
A member of the caretaker committee, Shey Sah Walters told The Herald the committee had made it top priority to 8 always pay the players a victory bonus of 20000 FCFA each. He said even when the team lost, each player earned 10.000 FCFA.
Also last week, Kumbo striker, received a substantial subsidy from FECAFOOT, thanks to the sponsorship deal between MTN and FECAFOOT like other clubs, Kumbo Strikers got 2 million FCFA, instead of the announced 3.5 million FCFA because FECAFOOT had made advance payment to the clubs. However, the money is enough to help management clear its debt to the players. Especially as Brasseries du Cameroon has promised them one million FCFA. Brasseries supervisor for Menchum, Bui and Donga-Mantung divisions, Jean Pierre Mbougwe told The Herald the money will be handed to the team on Friday in the Bamenda Municipal Stadium, infront of NW Governor, Adrein Kouambo.
Other supporters will be called upon to support the Brasseries gesture during the ceremony. Three months ago Brasseries donated equipment and 300.000 FCFA to strikers. Kumbo Strikers must survive, donors seem to be determined.
By Michael Ndi in Kumbo – The Herald –