Facing bankruptcy, Cuenca’s football team raises cash in Friday telethon

Hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt, Cuenca’s professional football club turned to the public Friday in a 12-hour fundraiser that produced $81,000, according to club management.

Fan line up Friday to buy tickets for Sunday’s game.

Deportivo Cuenca hopes that the money, which will go to pay players and cover immediate expenses, plus ticket sales from a sell-out game Sunday with archrival Barcelona of Guayaquil, will give it time to restructure debts with creditors.

The fundraiser, “Give me five for Cuenca,” was broadcast on local television and radio stations, focusing on small donations. “We are very pleased with the result,” said club president Galo Cardenas. “We didn’t reach our goal of $100,000 but we are close and we thank our devoted fans for coming to the aid of the Southern Express. May God reward them all.”

In addition to small contributions, club sponsors Chubb Insurance and dairy producer Nutri Leche provided larger donations.