With a major fundraiser planned for Tuesday evening at Nairobi’s 680 Hotel to help offset funeral expenses for Kenya’s ex-international defender Austin “Makamu” Oduor, veteran referee G.M.T. Ottieno has described the Gor Mahia legend as one of the most disciplined players he has come across in his whistling duties.
Oduor died on October 15 after developing breathing complications in Kakamega and will be laid to rest at his home in Makunga, Kakamega, on Saturday this week.
According to Eliud Owalo, the Deputy Chief of Staff in Charge of Performance and Delivery Management in the Executive Office of the President, who is chairing the legend’s Funeral Steering Committee, Tuesday’s funds drive will start at 5pm with the guests of honour being Siaya Governor James Orengo and his counterparts from Kakamega and Homa Bay counties Fernandes Baraza and Gladys Wanga, respectively, alongside former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero.
Also on the chief guests list is former Assistant Minister Peter Kenneth, who also served as Football Kenya Federation (FKF) chairman, along with Members of Parliament Julius Mawathe (Embakasi South), Otiende Amolo (Rarieda), Onyango K’Oyoo (Muhoroni) and Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo).
They will be assisted by Funeral Steering Committee members and club chairmen Ambrose Rachier (Gor Mahia), Dan Shikanda (AFC Leopards), Jared Nivaton (Shabana), Cleopa Shimanyula (Kakamega Homeboyz) and advocate Nicholas Odera Sumba.
Aspirants for the FKF presidency Sammy “Kempes” Owino, also a Gor legend, Hussein Mohammed, Doris Petra, Barry Otieno, Sam Ochola and Tom Alila are also on the guest list.
The government, through the Ministry of Sports, will offset some of the funeral expenses with today’s harambee seeking to bridge the deficit.
And as Kenyans continue to mourn “Makamu”, a patriarch of a footballing family whose siblings Mike Okoth Origi, Anthony Origi and Gerald Origi also played top level football, legendary referee Ottieno has mourned the Africa cup Winners’ Cup winning captain as one of the most disciplined players to play in the Kenyan league.
In his moving tribute, the no-nonsense whistler said despite being a defender, Oduor was never in his cautions book and that he respected match officials.
“I had the privilege of officiating very many matches at which the fallen hero Austin Oduor Makamu was fielded at the defence position,” Ottieno mourned.
“It is common that in that position, some defenders can be very ruthless and rough. Austin was a cool but a hard tactical defender who easily got the ball from the marauding attackers without causing a foul to warrant a direct or indirect free kick against his team.
“He never embarrassed his great team Gor Mahia FC through reckless tackles that would result in an award of a penalty kick,” the ref reminisced.
“(He was) a soft-spoken gentleman per excellence, with rare mien of humility and radiant welcoming smile lacking in most football players in back-line position, known to be prone to confronting referees' after committing a foul resulting into an award of a penalty kick against their teams.”
Ottieno noted that alongside his opposite number at Gor’s rivals AFC Leopards Josphat “Controller” Murila, “Makamu” was “very polished and extremely tactical and disciplined” confined himself to playing football and not confronting match officials.
“As a strict no-nonse referee who brooked no dissent from a player against my decisions in the field, both Austin and Josphat never found their names in my caution notebook for foul play, foul language or dissent. They knew they were in the field to play football; not to argue with the match officials. For this l salute them,” the retired referee added.
“Like the great Vincent Kopany, the Belgian (now Manager of Beyern Munich in Germany) who played for Manchester City, these two were great defenders in their time. Cool, composed, tactical and disciplined.
“A keen observation reveals that players anywhere with attributes as these two greats Austin and Josphat are always successful in their football playing career,” Ottieno noted, adding that the Gor Mahia community and Kenya alike have lost a “great son that brought the country fame and glory the day he lifted the then Mandela Cup after beating the much fancied Esperance FC from Tunisia, at Moi International Sports Centre-MISC, Kasarani, Nairobi, in 1987, a feat that has not been replicated in the region some 37 years later.”
Ottieno, who is also the chairman of the Kenya Football Referees Association, added: “The sudden and untimely death of Austin has robbed Kenya of a polished sportsman of rare attributes. May the Almighty God rest his soul in eternal peace. Fare thee well wuod Ugenya till we meet again at God's timing.
Oduor’s requiem mass is scheduled for this Friday at St Theresa Catholic Church in Kibuye, Kisumu, from 10am and, thereafter, public viewing at the Church premises up to 1pm.
The body shall then be moved to his home in Makunga, Kakamega, for viewing and overnight vigil.
