Gqeberha senior public prosecutor and football administrator Clive Kilian plans to enhance local football development in the coming years after his re-election as president of the Northern Areas Football Association (Nafa) for another term.
At an elective conference at Nafa Hall in Gelvandale on February 12, Kilian edged out his rival, Hotspurs FC chair Charlton Kramer, by a majority 28-11 votes.
A 43-member executive committee expressed unwavering support despite one spoilt vote and three abstentions.
Kilian, a former Park United FC chair, transitions into a third four-year term as Nafa president.
Previously, he was vice-chair of the SA Football Association (Safa) ethics committee from 2017 to 2019 and the safety and protocol committee chair for three years until 2022.
He is a vice-president for the national administrative governing body regionally — Safa Nelson Mandela Bay — until 2026.
In his address at the conference, he raised his glass to those who had expressed confidence in his leadership.
Kilian praised the foot soldiers who go above and beyond to shape local football.
“Officials and volunteers have put an enormous effort into the successful administration of football in the northern areas,” he said.
Kilian was first elected to the helm of the local football association (LFA) in 2015. He acknowledged their tireless efforts.
“To administer an LFA demands huge sacrifices,” he said.
“I strive to reach a level of administration that will attract experts and professionals in my new term.
“There is always room for improvement. It is important to improve administration, a vital cog from which everything flows.”
He was not shy to talk big despite only a week passing since he was touted to continue in the job.
“We have to continually improve player development to reach the goal of professional football.
“Nafa, as a football organisation, looks to rope in people in the interest of football.”
Kilian said this included attracting the experts — coaches, administrators, accountants and lawyers.
“You have to attract such people to reach the goal of creating a vehicle for footballers to achieve national and international professional levels.”
He emphasised robust sponsorship.
“Development, educational and driving programmes are reliant on sponsorship.
“Sponsors are looking for a stable and sound organisation.
“Once they see stability and that professionals are at work, they agree to support the programmes we launch.
“We need to reach a level of excellence where we can go to any sponsor and place the Nafa brand in the face of everyone.”
Highlights from his previous term include seeing the Nafa senior side win the end-of-year Annual Inter-Provincial LFA Goodwill Cup Tournament in Cape Town, and hosting the most successful Nafa Easter Soccer Festival since the pandemic.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Easter showpiece, which kicks off with a launch draw at the Gelvandale Playing Fields at Nafa Hall on March 16.
Former Nelson Mandela Bay mayor and Safa president Danny Jordaan will be among the special guests.
“The festival, first held in 1973, has for five decades been a flagship of northern areas football.
“It remains the pride and joy of the organisation. Over the years, it has produced a high standard of football.”
Kilian said he looked forward to further success in his stewardship and called for improved sports infrastructure, which has been a thorn in the side of the metro’s 12 LFAs.
“We depend on the municipality to provide these facilities for the citizens,” he said.
“The responsibility squarely rests on its shoulders to provide adequate facilities for each LFA.
“We can only produce and develop quality players if our facilities are not pathetic and mediocre.”
HeraldLIVE
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.