Harambee Stars defender Okumu donates van to Chemelil Youth

Chemelil Sugar Company(CSC)Interim Managing Director Jacqueline Kotonya standing first far left next to photo of Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu emblazoned on the donated football van and Chemelil Youth FC Chief Executive Officer Hillary Ouma( standing far right) and the team's youthful players, including technical bench officials.[Courtesy]

Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu, who plays for France Ligue 1 side Reims has donated a football van to Chemelil Youth Football Club, which featured five players in the just concluded Cecafa Under-18 championship held in Kisumu.

Okumu donated the van during a prayer session and unveiling of a partnership programme at Chemelil Sugar Sports Complex stadium, between Chemelil Youth FC and Chemelil Sugar Company, presided by the Company’s Interim Managing Director (IMD) Jacqueline Kotonya, who said the Company will strongly partner with the youth club, which has safeguarded the youthful players from socially destructive behaviour,  to ensure it succeeds in its set goals.

The 14-seater van was presented to Chemelil Youth by Okumu’s father Hillary Ouma, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the youth football outfit and a former defender for then Kenya Premier League side Chemelil Sugar Football Club and the ceremony also marked the team’s participation in the ongoing Youth Connekt Africa Summit 2023, taking place in Kenya.

Ouma said Okumu had donated the van in appreciation of having started his football career at Chemelil Youth FC.

“Okumu in his message to Chemelil Youth FC asked me to inform you all that the donation of this van which will facilitate players transport to honour their Kisumu County league matches. It is an appreciation of the fact that his football career started at this club, popularly known as Guza Guza, among Chemelil Sugar football fraternity fans,” Ouma said

He said his son has also donated the van as his contribution to the Chemelil Sugar community which contributed in moulding his now illustrious  football career.

Scores of former Chemelil Sugar FC players attended the ceremony.