The Lakua Sports Club is approaching the precipice. To the point that its continuity – after the divorce of a significant number of parents with … the board of directors – is right now on the wire. Or that is what the disputed president of this private sports entity reveals “and which does not receive subsidies from any administration.” In conversation with this newspaper, Mohamed Akbache opens for the first time the dilemma of disappearance.
Due to an economic situation that is at least critical and that he blames on his predecessors, whom he replaced in March of last year, while sending a message that tastes like an ultimatum. “Either 5,000 euros owed to the Federation (Alavesa football) are paid shortly or the club’s activity would have to cease so as not to continue generating debts.” That amount would respond, always in his opinion, to the “most urgent” obligation because there would be other payments throughout the season.
He assures that when he joined the entity, he and his board made him a loan of “110,000 euros”
Of course, Akbache denies that it is a threat. Rather, it is intended to warn about coffers that seem to have cobwebs, since only the board of directors knows their real state. The only thing that is certain is that several coaches have left the house due to alleged non-payments – with around 800 kids registered – and that a couple of weeks ago a massive and tense assembly was held without apparent progress. Apart from the fact that the controversial president left the Zabalgana civic center in Vitoria, escorted by local police.
«They don’t trust me (in reference to the players’ parents). I don’t blame them, it’s normal. “I wouldn’t trust it either after everything I’m hearing,” he estimates. «They have already screwed me, Socially I am sunk.» According to their own data, of 680 families with children in the club, “only eight” have paid this season’s fees, which would have prevented any hint of liquidity.
Rewinding to March last year, when Akbache entered Lakua, he already found himself with an alleged economic hole. And, although at that time nothing was said, now he makes a revelation that is at least surprising. “The members of the board of directors made a loan of 110,000 euros” to balance the accounts or to try.
«Maelstrom of defamations»
Akbache speaks of “a loan regularization act” as evidence, although without showing it. With this supposed economic injection “we liquidate what is urgent to be able to move forward.” It refers to various payments to “Federation, suppliers among which there were some with more than 3 years of delays, transportation, food, designs of equality plans for the club…”. It would be a return payment. “The club has to reimburse us for our loan money,” he demands.
– And if at the time they put in 110,000 euros, why don’t they do it now with those 5,000?
– The problem is the maelstrom of defamations. You ask me about those 5,000 euros, but we are not going to put in more after having helped.
Aware that these explanations are not going to calm a good part of the affected families and that the risk of closure would be real, Akbache opens the door for the first time to hand over the baton of this neighborhood club but agreed with Athletic Bilbao. The Ibaigane entity, by the way, remains expectant for the moment and without any movement. At least for the public.
“Whoever wants to lead Lakua, if he brings a firm proposal, in good faith and a viability plan, then I am willing to resign and resign from my position as president,” he confirms. “And I’m talking about a realistic proposal not based on confrontation because talking is cheap,” this professional consultant explains.
