By Benjamin Omukuba ‘Benbella”,
At times I pause and look back and wonder apart from the natural talent our players had when we were growing up as young boys in the estate there was someone who took the responsibility to organize us whether it was small sided games 4v4,7v7 or 11 aside without any formal coaching courses.
Those days we were so naive and green to understand the role of a coach. These are the people in the society we call natural leaders,it was about organization and composition of the team.
The same happens today save for the digital platform which has made it easier somehow for these dedicated, unselfish, committed individuals who go an extra mile to make sure our youth enjoy the game.
My concern is do we really recognize the effort and sacrifice these guys endure to bring up brilliant stars in our leagues in Kenya.
The so called “coaches” should be rewarded and recognized by the community, federation and the players who pass through these hardworking unselfish individuals.
Go to each and every estate (mtaa) there will be this name if mentioned everyone will recognize and associate it with a team or player.
Being a devolved Government we should come up with ways of rewarding these individuals by either assisting them pursue the so called coaching career or making sure they are well looked after if they choose to pursue different profession .
One of the best examples is the late Leo Omar aka Otty Father (Eastlandos) Jericho,Musa Otieno’s elder brother Barack Ouma Bedjos (Maringo) Kasule (Madiwa) Chuna Mangwana( Kaloleni) etc.
As as result we need to come up with awards like sportsman of the year mashinani this will require awareness and sponsorship from the county government and the cooperate world.
