Ailing tactician first on SJAK's list as CSR program kicks off

Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) has rolled out a quarterly Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program tailormade to support individuals and teams across the vast sporting ecosystem.

SJAK president James Waindi, during a visit to former Harambee Stars tactician Tom Olaba noted that the essence of SJAK CSR initiative lies in the idea that the Association should not only focus on sports coverage.

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“We intend to consider our broader impact on stakeholders, including communities, players, coaches as well as other individuals who interact with scribes on the field of play. Currently we are running the Coach of the Month and the Sports Personality of the Month that has not only whipped up the enthusiasm of sporting personalities and teams, but awarded some of Kenya’s high-riding athletes and coaches," Waindi offered.

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Olaba’s visit by sports scribes marks the second CRS event by SJAK. In 2018, Kenyan Premier League side Bandari FC were joined by the SJAK and electronic manufacturing company LG in a visit to Green Olive Children’s Home in Mtwapa, Mombasa where they donated food items and a 49-inch LG television set worth Ksh300,000.

Coach Robert Matano, who deputized Olaba at Harambee Stars in 2006, called on corporates and well-wishers to emulate SJAK’s CSR initative to visit and honor legends while they are alive.

“I had not met Olaba for some time, but then again, I didn’t expect his condition to be that bad. It is my hope that well-wishers will come forward and help Olaba meet his medical bill,” said Matano, who was flanked by football official Noordin Taib.

During Olaba’s visit, SJAK donated foodstuffs and essential household products worth Ksh50,000 to help the former coach manage the turbulent times he has had to contend with, by and large.

“We are rolling out a quarterly philanthropic CSR program to reach out to vulnerable sporting personalities, but then again we are appealing to sponsors and well-wishers to extend their goodwill gestures to Olaba who has already pleaded with Kenyans to come to his aid and help him regain his walking abilities after he underwent a spinal cord surgery that has since left him paralysed,” Waindi highlighted.

Waindi also remarked that the Association is using part of its sponsorship money to ensure the CSR program blossoms in the long run.

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Olaba, who served as Harambee Stars coach in 2006 for one year before former Tusker coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee took over, admitted to facing financial constraints to honor physiotherapy lessons as recommended by his doctors.

“I cannot do anything, I cannot move my body but the feeling is still there. I suffered a spinal cord injury,, according to the doctors” the former U17 coach said.

Olaba thanked SJAK for reaching out to him at the hour of need, adding that the donation will go a long way in supporting his family to meet their day to day obligations.

“I think I got the problem through football, even when I told my doctors it was because of football I injured my spine, they could not agree, but to me, I think it is because of football, I loved football very much, I played football from a very tender age, and I got injured then, but those days, I could not feel the pain because I was still a young boy,” Olaba explained

The experienced tactician served as an assistant coach for Harambee Stars under the late Reinhard Fabisch in 1997.

His coaching career also took him to Tanzania where he led Ruvu Shootings Stars to be promoted to the Premier League, and also coached FKF Premier League side AFC Leopards twice.

He is currently confined to using a wheelchair at his Nairobi home and confirmed a session for physiotherapy goes for Ksh3,000 and he needs the sessions daily.

“For now, doctors come to attend to me in the house once a week, for physiotherapy, but that's not enough. With more help, I will seek the recommended treatment program," explained Olaba.

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