Former Harambee Stars striker Dennis Oliech has been named as Kenya’s ambassador for Chan 2024, a tournament the country will co-host with Tanzania and Uganda from August 2 to August 30.
Sport Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya made the announcement on Friday morning at the Stadion Hotel in Kasarani during an event organised to honour Kenyan football legends.
Mr Mvurya commended the football legends for uniting Kenyans with their exploits during their heyday.
“We are confident that as our ambassador you will rally Kenya and Harambee Stars to victory at Chan 2024,” Mvurya said of the impact he hopes Oliech will make through his role.
Oliech is regarded as one of Kenya’s greatest ever footballers. He made his debut for the national team in 2002 when he was 17 years old.
The following year he etched his name in Kenyan football history after scoring the goal that earned Kenya a ticket to the 2004 African Cup of Nations during a 1-0 win over Cape Verde at Kasarani in July 2003.
That qualification ended Harambee Stars’ 12-year hiatus from Afcon and Oliech was instrumental as Kenya defeated Burkina Faso 3-0 at that tournament to register their first ever victory at the tournament.
Oliech, who started out at Mathare United, also enjoyed a distinguished career abroad, where he played for Al Arabi (Qatar), Nantes, Auxerre, Ajaccio, Dubai CSC, before returning home to end his career at Gor Mahia.
With Auxerre, Oliech made history by becoming the second Kenyan footballer to play in the prestigious Uefa Champions League. Current FKF vice president McDonald Mariga had preceded him in reaching that milestone in March 2010 while playing for Inter Milan, with whom he won the competition that year.
Mvurya hailed the occasion as the beginning measures and programmes aimed at ensuring that retired Kenyan footballers contribute to the growth and the development of the sport in the country.
“Already, some of you are helping the sport as coaches but we are working on more opportunities to increase your involvement,” the CS said.
In addition to that, Mvurya also spoke of a determination by the Ministry and country’s football stakeholders to restore the sports lost glory in the country.
“Football in Kenya was everything. We want football in Kenya to everything again,” Mvurya emphasized on that point after sharing his recollections of famous Harambee Stars victories from the 1970s and 1980s, decades during which Harambee Stars were a force to reckon with in African football.
Further, Mvurya said that hosting Chan 2024 has given the country an opportunity to reset its football and shape it for achieving success in future. He also silenced doubters who were skeptical about Kenya’s ability to host the tournament.
“Chan 2024 is important because it brings Kenya back to continental limelight. There was doubt and suspicion that Kenya will not host Chan 2024 because we failed to host Afcon in 1996 and Chan in 2018. This time, it is possible. We are hosting it.”
Mvurya also stated that the initiative to honour legends will extend to football coaches and referees who have served the sport in Kenya with distinction. “We want our legendary coaches and retired referees to use their knowledge and experience to mentor young coaches and referees at the grassroots. We want to build capacity for such expertise in the communities because that is where children and youth mostly play football.”
The event was also attended by Sports PS Elijah Mwangi, FKF president Hussein Mohammed, Chan 2024 LOC chairman Nicholas Musonye, and Chan 2024 LOC CEO Myke Rabar.
Honouring football legends
While Mwangi reiterated the government’s commitment to develop sports in the country, Hussein announced plans that FKF have in the pipeline to honour football legends.
On his part, Musonye said the event was organised following a series of meetings during which it was realised that honouring football legends will help “revive the spirit of the game in Kenya.”
“There are many football legends in Kenya and I am grateful to be the one honoured with this role. I believe my record in the national team and the fact that I retired not long ago had something to do with this,” he said.
“Do not be afraid to try something. Take risks and push yourselves to the limit. Do not leave the pitch with regrets of not having tried enough.”
To Kenyans, Oliech urged them to watch all matches at Chan 2024.
“Do not watch just Harambee Stars matches. Watch even those of other teams. This is the month of football,” he said.
Former Harambee Stars defender Sammy 'Pamzo' Omollo, who also played for Gor Mahia and Kenya Breweries, described the occasion as “historic”.
"We are happy about the manner we have been recognised today. It has never happened before. Usually, after retirement, no one bothers to know what we are up to. We are over the moon,” Omollo said.
Ex-Harambee Stars striker Allan Wanga shared similar sentiments,
“This is the first time this is happening and they say that every good thing has a beginning. This is a wonderful start and as legends we are ready to do our part to help Harambee Stars and upcoming players prosper.”
Former referee and seasoned football administrator GMT Ottieno was also present at the event and called for recognition and support for active and former referees.
“A football match cannot start without a referee. Therefore, it is important that the welfare of referees, both former and current, is looked after,” he said.
