The club wants to clinch a continental spot next season.
Despite the internal wrangling, Tonnerre Yaounde which just gained admission into the MTN Elite One championship is eying a continental spot next year. “We did not ascend to the first division to descend next year. We are here to stay. Our ambition is to be African next year,” said Onambele Zibi, president of the club.
To achieve this ambition, the club held its general assembly on November 30th and changed its status from an association to a limited liability company and put up shares for sale to interested persons. Besides the selling of shares, the club intends to raise funds through the contribution of influential members, selling of club gadgets and proceeds from the transfer of players.
The president of the club, Onambele Zibi said the MTN Elite One championship is less costly than the Elite Two championship because of increase in subventions from official sponsor and the government. He however stated that the clubs do not have to rely solely on the said subventions but raise their own funds. “We cannot sit and wait for State subventions which come late,” he said.
As president of the association of club presidents, he confirmed the information that clubs had asked for an increase in State subventions but failed to disclose the amount saying it is up to the Professional League to communicate the information.The club adopted a budget of FCFA 250 million and Onambele Zibi says they are going to launch an ambitious recruitment programme after hiring a new coach.
