Vincent Shimoli Chairman AFC Leopards Cooperate Task Force, Richard Ekhalia Sec. AFC Leopards Task Force.
The AFC Leopards Corporate Taskforce has launched a capacity-building initiative aimed at professionalizing football in Kenya. The initiative was announced during a press briefing on September 18, 2024, by Taskforce chairman Vincent Shimoli, who emphasized the importance of exploring corporate models through a benchmarking tour to Tanzania.
Set to occur at the end of the month, the benchmarking tour will involve visits to Yanga FC and Simba FC, two of Tanzania’s most successful community clubs that have successfully transitioned into corporate entities. “This initiative will explore various corporate models and their potential impact on the professionalization of football in Kenya,” Shimoli stated.
The Taskforce plans to engage AFC Leopards members and stakeholders in a three-month civic education campaign starting in early October and running through December 2024. The goal is to clarify the benefits of transforming the club’s structure into a more investor-friendly corporate model. Taskforce Secretary Richard Ekhalie highlighted the importance of including all stakeholders in these discussions. “We will utilize the club’s extensive branch network to reach over 5,000 registered members and more than 6 million fans across the country,” he said.
Following the civic education campaign, a retreat will be held in January 2025 to develop a comprehensive governance structure proposal. This blueprint will then be presented to club members at an upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) for ratification.
Club patron and Taskforce treasurer Alex Muteshi urged members to engage seriously in the initiative over the next six months. “I would like to urge everyone to embrace this as it will help us change the direction and make football great again,” he added.
The push for corporate transformation was also underscored by President William Ruto during the Ingwe at 60 celebrations, along with Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who is a dedicated AFC Leopards supporter.
Mudavadi recently contributed Ksh 2 million to support the Taskforce’s operations. Assistant Secretary Laureen Aseka expressed gratitude for the donation, stating, “This will go a long way to helping us move and engage with members from the deepest parts of this republic.”
Shimoli echoed Aseka’s sentiments, encouraging further contributions to meet the Taskforce’s Ksh 5 million budget. He announced, “We have a budget of Ksh 5 million and Hon. Mudavadi has boosted us with 2 million; we therefore want other wellwishers to come on board and contribute anything through our paybill 196464.”
AFC Leopards remains committed to enhancing its organizational capacity and establishing a sustainable future for Kenyan football. This initiative represents a significant step towards realizing that vision.