Former Harambee Stars captain, Dennis Oliech, has revealed why he turned down a Ksh. 200 million offer in 2004 to switch nationality and represent the Qatari national football team.At just 19 years old, Oliech was making waves in world football. He was ranked alongside the likes of Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney as one of the best emerging talents. His standout performances were crucial in leading Kenya to the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Tunisia.##NAJAVA_MECA_8710617##However, things could have turned out differently had he accepted a massive offer from Qatar to represent their national team at the expense of Kenya.Oliech had just moved to Qatar for his first professional stint after signing for Al Arabi from Mathare United in 2003. The offer from Qatar was tempting, but after much consideration and consultations with trusted individuals, he decided to turn it down.“The offer was there, and they told me that if I changed my nationality, they could offer me the cash,” Oliech shared in an interview with Radio 47. “But I called about two or three people and asked them, ‘What if I take it? What do you think?’ They advised me to think it through carefully. They told me, ‘You know the environment there, the weather, and the situation. It’s your choice, but make sure you weigh all the factors,’” he added.Police promise to unleash heavy artillery against Superior Hotel in Mozzart Bet Cup round of 64Looking back, Oliech is confident he made the right choice. “I made the best decision ever,” he said. “If you look at the situation now, you can see how Kenyans are treated in the Gulf, especially in countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar, where many work as domestic workers. It’s not easy,” opened up the former FC Nantes forward.A significant factor in Oliech’s decision was the treatment of employees in Qatar. He pointed out that the strict control over foreign workers there made him cautious about accepting the offer. “You can’t leave the airport without a letter from your employer,” he explained. “That’s one of the reasons why I decided not to take the money. Of course, the money would have helped my family, but at the end of the day, it’s you who would be in trouble,” he said.Bandari explain absence of coach in defeat against FC TalantaOliech also expressed concerns about the risks involved if he had accepted the offer. “They could have taken my passport, accused me of something like carrying alcohol, and I could have been jailed, never seeing that money. The stories we hear from there about mistreatment are alarming. They’re not good people—they only show kindness when they need something from you,” he said.Now retired from football, Oliech is looking to transition into football management and make a meaningful contribution to the sport in Kenya.Date and venue for Mashemeji Derby confirmed
