Mombasa-based businessman declares interest in AFC Leopards' management position

Mombasa based businessman Gilbert Andugu has announced that he will be vying for the position of secretary General when AFC Leopards conducts its polls at the end of June.

Ingwe’s current office holders’ term expires in June. They have served for three years and the club will go to the polls to elect

Current club secretary general, Oliver Sikuku is exiting after serving for two terms while chairman Dan Shikanda and treasurer Maurice Chichi are both seeking to defend their seats.

Andugu believes he is the right man to take over from Sikuku as he according to him he has the right ideas to take the team forward. He insists he does not want to join the club management for personal gain.

“I am contesting because I want to help the team become better, I am not planning to join the team’s management for personal gain, for me Leopards comes first,” he told Mozzart Sport.

The soft-spoken football admin who is into transport and logistics business says he has successfully served in different capacities at the club and believes it is time to join the national office.

“I served as the Chairman of Chairmen (COC) four for years until 2020 and during my time at the helm, the number of branches rose from eight to 35. I handed over 35 branches to my successor and Franklin 'Kuka' Imbenzi and for me that was a success on my part. Right now, I am in charge of the Coast Branch and we ensure that the team is well taken care of when in Mombasa, I am a Leopard through and through,” he added.

He went on to explain his agenda that is pegged on five pillars. They are Communication, Youth Team, Merchandise, Team’s Welfare and Empowered Secretariat.

“My manifesto is pegged on five items. We need to improve on communication at the club, the members deserve a better flow of information. We must have a functional youth team, yes we have a youth team but it can get better and empowering the youth team so that it can produce players for the first team is top in my agenda. Leopards must return to the glory days and to get this right we must get the basics right,” he added.

“We must avail merchandise for fans, right now there are no Ingwe jerseys in the market, I also want to improve the team’s welfare because they deserve better and lastly empower the secretariat we need to have an empowered office led by the CEO,”.

He further revealed that he supports football at the lowest level as well.

“I support grassroot football as well. Last year I organized an u13 and u15 football tournaments in Dandora where I was raised, we will have a second edition this year. I also support teams back in my rural home, Shibuli in Lurambi constituency, I am a football person though and through and I urge Ingwe supporters to give me a chance to serve the club as their secretary general,” he concluded.