If you have been keen enough, you might have realized Bernard Ondiek’s Posta Rangers teammates and close friends in the Kenyan football circle call him ‘doc’, short form for doctor.It is a nickname he has lived with for more than a decade, but not many people are aware of its origin, even some who refer to him by it.Unbeknown to many, Ondiek, arguably the most versatile player in the Kenyan top tier, is a student at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), Kisumu.He enrolled in 2011 but his ravenous hunger for football forced him to defer his studies in 2014 in favour of a move to the defunct Palos FC, an outfit he joined the following year.The move earned him strong admonishment from his family, which is deeply rooted in the world of medicine, but he says he considers the success he has achieved in football dream come true and satisfying.##NAJAVA_MECA_8229037##Ondiek, one of the strongest pillars at the Posta Rangers’ central defence, intends to complete his studies after hanging his boots in what he projects to be in five years.The soft-spoken defender says his love for football will compel him to offer his medical expertise within the sporting circles, the Kenyan top tier to be precise as a way of giving back.He insists the need for trained and qualified professionals attending to injured players can not be ignored and thus, his resolve to offer nursing skills in local competition after calling time to his playing career.”I deferred my studies when I was nearing completion and graduation so as to concentrate on football. I intend to complete my studies after retiring and test my nursing skills in the Kenyan league or any sporting establishment. Football has given me a lot and I wouldn’t mind giving back when I retire. The need for professionals handling players can’t be overstated,” said Ondiek.The decision to halt his studies is one that angered his siblings, especially the practicing medics in the extended family, who were responsible for paying his school fees.Strength of a woman: Meet the madam driving Posta Rangers team busHowever, Ondiek had made up his mind and decided to follow his passion for football, and after barely a year at Palos, he earned a move to Western Stima in the top flight.Ondiek, made a huge leap in his career after joining Gor Mahia in 2017 after his performances while at Stima caught the eyes of K’Ogalo officials.At Gor, he predominantly played as a defensive midfielder, and helped the club win three successive league titles.It is at Gor where he got a taste of continental matches. He was part of the squad that reached the quarterfinals of the CAF Confederation Cup in 2019.The success he realized at Gor pacified the hearts of his siblings, who later became his fans and would occasionally show up on match days to back him up.”My decision to defer studies in order to play football didn’t make sense to anyone in our family. Considering that we have more than five doctors and nurses in the family, it was easy for them to assume that I had made the wrong turn in life. “All I did was ask them to give me a year in football and if things fail to align with my plan, I would go back to school. Luckily, fortunes were on my side,” narrated Ondiek.Gor Mahia star reveals flocking offers after starring at COSAFA CupLooking back to his life at K’Ogalo, Ondiek says wearing the green kit, winning titles, and facing English Premier League side Everton in Merseyside were his best moments.He remembers scoring the lone goal in a CAF Champions League game against Malawian giants Nyasa Big Bullets, in November 2018, with nothing but joy.”My siblings somehow became my fans especially when I moved to Gor Mahia. Winning the league and featuring in CAF matches helped them realize I was determined to succeed in football. I enjoyed my time at Gor and am glad I left with three league medals,” said the player, also commonly known as Bena.Strength of a woman: Akisa’s magic hands that keeps Nzoia Sugar players fitOndiek left Gor in 2021 for Posta Rangers and with the exit of senior players in the last season, all indications point to him skippering the team in the new season.Earlier in the year, he was confirmed as a permanent employee of the Postal Corporation of Kenya and looks forward to executing duties on and off the pitch in the new campaign.He attributes the move by Posta bosses to consider him for the job to his educational background and leadership demonstrated on the pitch.
