Odera shines in Africa

By BS MULAVI

Nondies defense coach Paul Odera has attained the highest coaching qualification with the International Rugby Board to become the first Kenyan to attain the level three certification.

Apart from South Africa, Odera is the first African to have the certification and can now be considered to be one of the most learned coaches worthy to share ideas with international coaches from around the world.

Ironically, Odera is more learned than all our national coaches and has only handled the Kenya national fifteens team in the junior Under-21 level. The former Upper Hill coach feels humbled by the achievement and says it is only the start of great things.

"I am very proud to be the first Kenyan to receive this certification and I hope I will use my services to help rugby progress," he said.

The certification means Odera can coach either the Sevens or Fifteens versions of the game with ease.

The Nondies assistant coach has not ruled out using his expertise to coach foreign teams saying he is ready for any challenge. "Any coach’s dream is to take charge of his national side, but those slots already have people. If I am needed elsewhere, I am willing to go," said Odera.

Odera is an IRB educator in the country and trains other coaches in the level one course in conjunction with the Kenya Rugby Union.

The former Kenya Harlequin player urges other coaches to step up and take the IRB courses so as to help the game grow. IRB launched the program for level Three coaches last year and less than 50 coaches worldwide have attained the certification.