Bhavesh Gohil speaks to journalists during a press briefing at his offices in Westlands/ CHARLENE MALWAVeteran cricket administrator Bahavesh Gohil has pledged to deliver seamless leadership, restore stability and rebuild a suffering system as he seeks to vie for Cricket Kenya (CK) Vice Presidency during the elections scheduled for October 26.
While launching his manifesto, Bhavesh said the organisation has suffered years of disjointed planning and neglect and vowed to bridge the gaps that have prevented the game from reclaiming its global status. “Good leadership will bring about balance. One needs to be seamless,” he said.
He revealed that inclusivity and accountability will anchor his leadership, adding, “I was born by a woman, and it’s always important to consider gender.”
Gohill, who is the Chief Director of Mars Logistics Limited, runs the Gymkhana Cricket Club, which hosts several local tournaments. CK has faced turbulence in recent years amid leadership wrangles, postponed elections and allegations of financial impropriety, clouding the sport’s image.
The absence of a proper domestic league, stalled development programmes, and poor infrastructure have widened the gap between Kenya and other cricket-playing nations.
With CK's next general elections set for February, Gohil's entry into the race sets the stage for a leadership battle shaped by reform, renewal, and a bid to restore order in a sport long defined by potential yet held back by internal gaps.
Gohil said he plans to address these very gaps through structural reforms and a complete re-imagining of the player pathway from junior to senior level.
He said, “Running a successful franchise has shown me how important the U19 transition to the senior league is, and this will make everything seamless.”
He promised to create a national “A” team to bridge the development gap and ensure a steady flow of talent into the senior side. He emphasised that rebuilding infrastructure will be central to his campaign, noting Kenya’s shortage of standard training grounds and equipment.
"I have sponsors who are ready to support rebuilding facilities once I get into office. I am also planning to bring in bowling machines, which are currently lacking,” he went on.
Gohil said he will unveil his partners once in office, asserting that accountability will be key to attracting and retaining financial backing.
He also plans to revive the long-stalled national women’s league and strengthen the grassroots system through consistent U15 and U19 programmes, as he builds a sustainable youth agenda that nurtures players from school level to the senior ranks.
“The U15 and U19 structures that have always existed are vital. I want to mould a player from the junior age up to the senior-most, and that youth agenda is what I will build on,” he said.
Looking ahead, Gohil promised to enhance exposure and experience through off-season exchange programmes with teams from South Africa, Dubai, and India, revealing these partnerships are already within his reach.
He stressed that restoring Kenya’s competitiveness will require consistent international exposure and coaching excellence, pledging to bring in international coaches once infrastructure is in place.
