Oliver Nyawanda (left) and fellow basketball enthusiast Erick Otieno compare notes in Kisumu.
Oliver Nyawanda walked away from a successful career in finance to dedicate his life to mentoring and training young basketball talents.
His journey with basketball began in high school, where his skills earned him a scholarship to Makerere University in Uganda. He graduated in 2008 with a degree in Human Resource Management, thanks to basketball.
After completing his studies, the now 42-year-old returned to Kisumu, determined to nurture young talent in co-curricular activities. While working as a finance manager at the defunct Giro Commercial Bank, he pursued a Master's degree in Finance at Maseno University.
“I got a job in 2009 to 2014 as a finance manager at Giro Commercial Bank, now known as I&M Bank,” says Nyawanda.
However, despite financial stability, he felt unfulfilled.
“As a finance manager, I was earning well, but I couldn’t help someone else. That’s why I let go of the post and started an academy. I settled in sports—specifically basketball development—because it combined my passion for coaching with entrepreneurship through event organizing and management,” he explains.
Nyawanda’s inspiration came from his high school coach, who first spotted his talent.
“My first coach while I was a student at Kisumu Boys High School back in 2001, Mr Oyucho Timon, was the first person who identified that I had an outstanding skill in basketball and helped me to put more effort into the sport, which in turn gave me a scholarship,” recalls Nyawanda.
“He also encouraged me to coach younger players. So I picked that from him and emulated it. I am trying to use the same strategy to get that line of progression where trained individuals can help even the younger ones and we all grow together,” he adds.
To keep his dream alive, Nyawanda founded Urbanville Basketball Club in 2012, two years before quitting his banking job. The club has since become the most elite youth basketball programme in Western Kenya.
Nyawanda emphasises that following passion is more important than chasing financial rewards.
“After college, I worked in a couple of industries. Initially, I was in banking for about five years, then worked in construction management for about two years, but then I decided I must just put all my effort into what I love, where my passion is. So my time is dedicated to developing basketball,” he says.
He acknowledges that coaching takes time before it becomes financially rewarding.
“My journey began in 2012, and it wasn't until around 2021 that I began seeing some financial returns. If coaching is solely pursued for financial gain, it may hinder the pursuit of one's true passion. Patience is crucial in this process," he says.
Reflecting on his own journey, Nyawanda wants to give young athletes the same opportunities he had.
“Basketball opened doors for me, providing numerous opportunities. I felt compelled to extend these opportunities to others. Hence, my goal is to establish a comprehensive sports academy.
This academy aims to empower young boys and girls, offering them the chance to grow, develop, and nurture their respective sporting talents.”
Urbanville Basketball Club started as a solo initiative but has since grown into a collaborative effort. Nyawanda co-founded the club with fellow basketball enthusiast Erick Otieno. Over the years, more partners have joined, expanding the program to include football and hockey.
Through the club, Nyawanda has secured scholarships for talented players, including Margaret Nereaw, who earned a scholarship to Strathmore University in 2021. Nereaw went on to represent Kenya’s national 3x3 basketball team, which won gold in Morocco in 2023.
“The club provides a supportive environment for players to train and compete, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among its members. We have about four girls and six boys playing in the national team representing Kenya in different groups. I was also contacted recently to assist in coaching the junior team at the National level,” says Nyawanda.
In addition to coaching at Urbanville, he serves as an assistant coach for the National Junior Basketball team, working alongside head coach Martin Okwako and coaches Zadekia Odero and Rose Mshila.
Despite challenges, Urbanville Basketball Club recently secured a place in Division Two of the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) league after qualifying in Mombasa in 2023.
Nyawanda envisions a structured pathway for players to progress from Division Two to Division One and eventually the Premier League.
Currently, Urbanville Basketball is ranked third in the KBF Division Two standings with 20 points, behind table leaders Multimedia University and Congo Nets, both tied at 23 points.
With a firm belief in patience and passion, Nyawanda continues his mission to develop the next generation of Kenyan basketball stars.
