Former Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Nyanza Executive Committee (NEC) member Tom Alila, has promised to focus on players’ welfare and strengthen federation branches should he be elected as the body’s president.

Speaking earlier this week when he announced his bid for the seat, Alila (pictured) said the neglect of the plight of players and referees has been the reason why the state of football has deteriorated in the country.

“I will put my focus on the welfare of players and ensure that referees and other match officials are trained, equipped and paid promptly because this has been the reason why our football is not progressing,” said Alila.

Alila who is pushing for the Annual General Meeting of FKF said the current president, Nick Mwenda, cannot vie again for the seat because the constitution bars him from contesting.

“The current FKF president Nick Mwendwa cannot run for the federation presidency because his term is ending soon. We expect a meeting to be called in order for electoral conduct and regulations to be put in place,” said Alila.

He also promised to fight corruption and cronyism which he claimed has choked the federation. He wanted to promote football at grassroots level to ensure that talent is identified and nurtured at the lowest level.

“I want to radically change how football is managed in this country so that Kenyans begin filling the stadiums just like it was happening in the 1980s. Kenyans currently lack enthusiasm in football because of mismanagement,” he said.

Alila who has football administration in his lineage with his father, Nelson Alila Onyango, being a revered figure in the Kenyan Football Federation (KFF), made his ambitions clear as he set out his vision for the development of the game from the grassroots to the national level.

“I am running on three main principles: Firstly, we aim for a radical change in the administration of football, as the current management has been unsatisfactory,” Alila stated.

At the heart of Alila’s campaign are three fundamental principles aimed at overhauling the sport’s administration in the country.

The 55-year-old businessman, whose father Nelson Alila Onyango served as a KFF administrator, says his emphasis will be streamlining grassroots football by incorporating counties to support the leagues. Alila, whose election motto is dubbed ‘Mpira Mashinani’ further hopes to establish a proper and sustainable youth structure, introduce a footballers’ welfare scheme, and secure sponsorship for all leagues if elected.

“When I was elected to represent Nyanza during my last stint as a football administrator, me and the then FKF president Sam (Nyamwya) brought Kisumu Stadium,” said Alila, adding: