Bryton Onyona’s sporting family was present as the fast-rising Gor Mahia midfielder redeemed his Mozzart Bet Cup Humanitarian Cheque by handing his boyhood club Green Bentos sporting equipment worth Ksh100,000. Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsThe colourful and brief ceremony was held on Wednesday at the Denga Primary School Grounds in Kanyipir Location, Kibiri Ward, Rachuonyo North Sub-County in Homa Bay County. Scores of players and officials from Green Bentos, as well as members of the community, flocked to the school’s playing field to have a glimpse of the most popular Gor Mahia youngster and witness him support the club that laid the foundation for his meteoric rise.##NAJAVA_MECA_8945036##What stood out, however, was the presence and the glowing tributes from parents Kennedy and Mary Onyona as well as footballing siblings; Harrydas Omondi, Hellen Awino and Stacy Adhiambo. The 20-year-old revealed that he considers sharing the pitch with Omondi, despite a 12-year age gap standing between them, as one of the career milestones he has achieved so far. Omondi, who can comfortably play in midfield, forward and in the back line, played for the Homa Bay-based Hammer FC and occasionally coaches at Green Bentos. Awino and Adhiambo are attached to local clubs, with the former doubling up as a coach in the school where she tutors. For Onyona, the support from the family and former teammates at Bentos has been crucial to his rapid rise as the hottest prospect playing for the most successful football club on Kenyan soil. “I am happy to return home and boost my former club. This is the team that gave me a proper introduction to football. They have every right to earn the donation as they played a big role in mentoring me. I also deeply appreciate the support from my family members, former teammates and the K’Ogalo fraternity. It is humbling to make a difference in my former club,” said Onyona. The midfielder, who was part of the Chapa Dimba All-Stars team that toured Spain in December 2024,is not only talented on the pitch but also academically gifted, having excelled in his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) at Oriwo Boys before securing admission at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), where he is pursuing a degree in Actuarial Science. Balancing class and the pitch was not easy for most teenagers, but Onyona did it seamlessly thanks to the support from his family and coaches. “He is a very bright boy who has done us proud. At first, I did not endorse the idea of him pursuing both football and academics. I had a strong bias for education, but little did I know that he would succeed in both. He is disciplined and destined for greater heights. His siblings also love football so much and always have my blessings to play the game,” said his father, Kennedy. His mother was equally full of praise for her last born for lending a helping hand to the team and making the family proud. “It will be unfair if I do not begin by telling you all a story I have kept to myself for long,” she said in her opening remarks, capturing the attention of those in attendance, as they yearned to hear the interesting tale.”I laboured hard when Bryton was a kid, for him to learn how to use his right foot and hand. However, I lost the battle and reluctantly resigned to the fact that he would grow up using his left foot and hand. Years later, I am proud to see what a left foot can do and the difference it can make in society. The sky is the limit, my son,” said Mary, whose powerful speech drew thunderous applause from those in attendance. Onyona, who was promoted to the Gor Mahia senior team in February, donated 25 full kits, ten footballs, a set of corner flags, goal post nets, 20 bins, boots, a portable tactics board, cones, two whistles and resistance bands. The left-footed player handed the donation thanks to his impressive performance in the Mozzart Bet Cup quarterfinals clash against Kariobangi Sharks on Thursday, 1 May. Gor edged Sharks 2-0 to book a date with Murang’a Seal in the semifinals of the tournament, whose winner earns a direct ticket to the CAF Confederation Cup.
