I Lost 13 Children To HIV/AIDS: Former Harambee Stars Keeper Appeals for Help

Former Harambee Stars goalkeeper Joel Owino Odongo, who played for Bata Bullets in the Kenyan Premier League currently depends on well-wishers to get food on the table in what would be termed as a sad state of affairs for a past national hero.

Mzee Odongo, 75, recently walked into the offices of one news agency in the country with an official proforma seeking financial aid as he has no way to make ends meet.

Odongo’s life has been a sad story of death and illness. In the 1980s, he lost 13 of his children leaving him with only one daughter who is at her matrimonial home.

Former Harambee Stars goalkeeper Joel Owino Odongo. /KENYA NEWS AGENCY

“I am sad that I lost 13 children to HIV/AIDS and am left with one daughter who is already married. My health is deteriorating on a daily basis and I have been walking on the streets, visiting offices and appealing to well-wishers for daily bread and medical assistance.”

Mzee Odongo also added that he had to undergo surgery on his groin and were it not for well-wishers and former employers, he wouldn’t have been able to raise the hospital bill.

“My right groin was swollen with pus oozing, I underwent an operation to treat it. As we talk I have only one kidney and suffer from high blood pressure. The medical bill totalled Ksh800,000, and we only managed to raise Ksh400,000 courtesy of the Universities, Colleges, and Parastatals where I had offered my coaching services.”

The ex-international born in Kochogo location in Kisumu County has a rich CV having served in one of the most prestigious institutions in Africa.

He played for Bata Bullets for seven years from 1966 and his heroics for the club earned him a place in the national team in 1969 under coach Grzegorz Polakow. During his stint at the club, he played alongside current Kisii County senator Chris Mogere Obure.

Upon retirement, Odongo pursued a coaching career and tutored Kimbo FC, Kenya Prisons FC, Thika Bullish Tanneries, Malindi Municipality FC, and Mombasa Port Reiz. He won several accolades as a coach in these teams proving his prowess and skills as a dependable tutor.

Later on, the ex-international changed careers and trained as a netball coach in 1988. His journey as a netball coach started in South Africa at Nelson Mandela University.

After completing a course in Netball Practical Training from Nigeria University, he joined Kampala University as a netball coach and served from 1995-1999. Locally, he coached Maseno University, Kericho TTC, Kisumu Posta, Kisumu Railways and Migori TTC.

Mzee Odongo is wary of the status former sportsmen are living in and appeals to the government to intervene and save the situation.

It would be a noble step by the government to reward these national heroes who served the country and brought it to the international limelight.

He also advised upcoming sportsmen to be disciplined as it was a key recipe for the success of their careers.

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