Kakamega Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula believes that his experience in running the FKF Premier League side makes him the best candidate to be elected FKF president when elections are held on Saturday 7 December.“Having run this club from the grassroots level to where we are at the moment, has given me the best experience needed to be the next FKF chairman,” he says.Shimanyula’s eight-page manifesto puts the development of grassroots football at the backbone of his plans.High Court hands Petra, Mwendwa boost ahead of FKF ElectionsThe businessman who has named Mombasa-based Twaha Mbarak as his running mate says in his manifesto that he will establish academies in all 47 counties to help nurture talent.“As part of grassroots football management, we shall collaborate with schools to integrate football into their curricula. Alongside these, we shall also create scouting programs to identify and support promising players from a young age,” he says.The country has been grappled with a major problem when it comes to infrastructure with no FIFA-approved stadium at the moment and Shimanyula says his team has a plan to solve this.##NAJAVA_MECA_8519610##“We will work on renovating existing facilities and building new ones to meet international standards. We shall also build state-of-the-art training centres for teams and national squads.”His plan for the leagues includes supporting existing ones by encouraging competition and more fan engagement.He has also promised to promote diversity by working with different voices from different regions and communities.Kenya to face South Sudan in opening fixture as U17 AFCON Qualifiers schedule is released“We shall implement clear financial reporting to build trust among stakeholders,” he said in regards to financial transparency.The Kakamega Homeboyz chairman was well aware that his club has been mentioned several times in regard to match-fixing and has promised to decisively deal with the menace by establishing clear rules and regulations to ensure fair play and ethical conduct.“I will work with stakeholders including security agencies and Members of Parliament to come up with laws that criminalize match-fixing,” he promises.##NAJAVA_MECA_8494829##He has also vowed to revert the management of the top tier, the FKF Premier League to an independent body the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) which he says will not only run the league but will also negotiate broadcasting rights with different partners.Referees have not been left behind in Shimanyula’s plans. He has promised to set up a structured welfare program for the men in black and give them guaranteed payments which he says will be at par with the best in Africa.“We shall also ensure that women’s football is developed from the grassroots by having a league at the lowest level to ensure that these act as feeders for the senior teams.”
