If you have been privileged to catch local league matches from the stands or live on television, you can attest that lanky Nairobi City Stars team doctor Brian Odongo can sprint to save a life.Whenever the centre referee signals him to rush into the field of play and administer first aid to an injured player, with his tools of trade dangling on his hands, his fleet-footed limbs never fail him as he jumps into action in supersonic speed much to the relieve of the player.Admittedly, his zestful sprints are a fruit of his daily routine and a rather healthy ritual of starting a day by covering at least ten kilometers and sometimes squeezing himself in the intense loading training sessions prescribed to athletes as part of remaining physically fit. So passionate is Odongo in his job that he trains to ensure that he is ready to hastily respond when called upon to attend to an injured player as well as for his own good even as he observed that some ailments are best kept at bay by regular exercises.Congratulations to our own @Otieno_Odong who has qualified to serve as the Team Doctor for Nairobi City Stars that plays in the Kenyan Premier League . Brian is an inspiring and superb clinician with a committed and passionate approach to his work. pic.twitter.com/uOUFF1mXfg— Immediate Care Clinic-Physiotherapy &Sports Clinic (@care_immediate) August 18, 2020 “I train a lot to keep fit for my own good and to ensure that I can respond as quickly as possible when in line of duty. The spirit of the game dictates that players assist their colleagues when injured before the medics arrive but sometimes, unfortunately they don’t get it right, thus worsening it. To avoid this, I ensure that I am ready all times. I normally run at least 10 kilometers daily and sometimes I join the players in training,” he revealed.Driven by his undying love of the game, Odongo chose the less traveled path by doctors after finishing school, as he volunteered to give care to players at the grassroot tournaments in his hood.Even though he is his stationed at the Limuru road based Immediate Care Clinic, he elected to dedicate part of his free time in attending injured players in the streets while drawing inspiration from doctors who have helped players shake off career threatening injuries and subsequently, trooped back to action.Little did he know that his good deeds were under scrutiny from a handful of clubs but it was Gor Mahia Youth through their then head coach Tom Ogweno who made their intentions after as they acquired his services in 2017.Outdoor Treatment and Rehabilitation for @ibra_sanneh who plays for @nrbcitystars after Sustaining a Knee injury ( medial collateral ligament Injury ) in a friendly match @care_immediate pic.twitter.com/GfHc7hvXra— Otieno Odongo (@Otieno_Odong) December 14, 2020 “I developed interest in football when I was a kid. It feels good to see players expressing themselves on the pitch. Sadly, injuries are inevitable considering that it is a contact sport and that’s where I come in. My journey to the technical bench has been long as I began in the streets where I treated players who picked knocks in tournaments. It was heartbreaking to read stories of players who cut short their careers due to injuries and joined the game hoping to bring the solution. After spending some time in street football, Gor Youth came for my services in 2017,” he narrated.While serving the junior side, Odongo would occasionally be called upon to attend senior players and quickly established a rapport with the long serving team manager Jolawi Obondo and a number of influential players.The 26-year old says assisting Fredrick Otieno who serves as Gor club doctor significantly reduced the number of players touring the treatment table and thus played a crucial role to their dominance that was witnessed in the recent years. He prides himself in playing a significant role in rehabilitating and conditioning Philemon Otieno back to fitness after undergoing knee surgery in October 2019, the year he was elevated to the senior team.Odongo’s stay at K’ogalo was however short-lived as Nairobi City Stars who were in the National Super League lured him to their side as part of their rebuilding following the acquisition of the club by Jonathan Jackson.”Sometimes while in the youth team, I would be requested to help in the senior team. I interacted with the rest of the technical bench members and players and I feel they were impressed with my job. They all endorsed my elevation to the senior team to assist Fredrick and formally joined in late 2019 but would later decamp to City Stars,” he narrated.As Odongo approaches his third season with Simba wa Nairobi, he looks back at the number of players he has treated with the utter satisfaction that he has achieved a lot for the short term he has been in the top flight. Although he says that he is always mentally ready to confront any kind of injury owing to his passion and his training, he revealed that a nasty ankle dislocation by Wycliffe Otieno during their second leg encounter against Mathare United was his worst day in the office.”The two seasons I have spent with City Stars have been the best. The club conducts their day to day activities in a professional way and have been taking my advice and recommendations seriously. With the kind of structures, they have in place, I am certain they will be a force to reckon with in Kenyan football. Injuries do not scare me for I am trained to handle them but Otieno’s case was frightening but managed to pop it in,” he remarked.His job has also procured him plaudits from the club’s Chief Executive Officer Patrick Korir who noted that his expertise has helped save players’ careers and money meant for surgeries.Returning to football ⚽ . Expected pre-season injuries. Anterior Drawers Test @care_immediate @YidahSven @Football_Kenya@SportsInjurySIB @sportstapping #sportsinjuries #ACL_Assessment pic.twitter.com/a7R9dSBema pic.twitter.com/fvleFsKfHc— Otieno Odongo (@Otieno_Odong) October 9, 2020 “We had a number of players who had injuries that we thought will require surgery but his heroics in rehabilitation worked magic. He is ranks among the best doctors who are in sports and has a bright future ahead of him,” said the administrator. Every job has its own share fair of challenges and Odongo who considers Arsenal as the best club in the English Premier League has confronted several while on duty.Muyoti confirmed at Nairobi City StarsOdongo who spends his free time in doing road trips and taking his family out singled out lack of equipment and interference of his job as one of the main challenges he has faced thus far. He called on clubs to revamp their medical departments.”In one of my previous work station, my advice would be blatantly ignored. As a doctor you feel that a certain player is not fully fit but the coach insists that he must play. Positive results won’t come forth if you have unfit on the pitch. Clubs have also not invested much in equipment in as much as my first job is to give first aid,” he pointed out. BioName: Otieno Brian OdongoNickname: Baba Date of birth: 29/03/1995EducationPrimary School: Manyatta Primary School – (2001 – 2006) / Magutti Primary school – (2007 – 2008)High School: St Peters Disii Secondary School University: Kenya Medical Training College and Amref University Favourite Meal: Ugali and FishBest EPL Team: ArsenalRole model: Stephen Odongo (Dad)Hobbies: Reading and travelling
