I love my boda boda job, says Bunyore Starlets ace Ambale

We are often told education is the key to success and indeed is. Education makes us aware of knowledge, skills, ethics and helps us develop our societies.

For Bunyore Starlets defender Prisca Ambale, who is an engineer by training, her gifts on a football pitch have provided her with greater opportunities that formal education would ever do at such in her youthful years.

In a sit-down with our reporter, the defender argues education is a means of making life easier through talent.

Q.  How did it all start for you until you became a footballer?

A. I started playing football back then in Primary School (Esigambe primary school). My passion for the game and my talent developed day by day since.

After school, Wadadia (women’s football club) saw the talent in me and made an approach for me to which I agreed. For me it was an opportunity to get noticed even more.

But I took a break from playing football after getting a job in Nairobi although on a personal level I continued training to stay fit.

I returned home after losing my job and coincidentally it was around that time that Bunyore Starlets was founded so I got recruited.

A. Currently, clubs are better off compared to back then in terms of paying their players. In the earlier days as women’s football clubs began to sprout, we literally used to volunteer. Now a few sponsors have come in and so has the money.

It’s not as much as one can wish or expect but it’s something; we are in a better state now.

Q. What does your family think of your football career?

A. (grins) They’re my biggest supporters and I can say my mum is my number one fan. After every match, I must call her and give her an update of how I played and the results. You can feel she is very invested and takes keen interest in my football.

Q. I saw you riding a motor cycle, are you in it for the business?

Q. It’s a very male dominated sector, how does that make you feel?

A. Okay! (fidgeting…) at a tender age, I used to admire drivers of huge trucks and promised one day I would be behind the wheels of such huge machines. Driving school is expensive but the ambition is to get there!

I started with a bicycle and by the time we were growing up, motorbikes were the common means of transport in the rural areas. With their availability, I learnt quickly.

My sister got me a motorbike after I lost my job so I would do my part in helping put food on the table at home. I agree that mostly it’s a man’s job but I can compete!

Q. How do you relate with customers and your fellow riders?

A. During the first days, it was tricky on my side trying to get embedded to the system but now the challenge mostly comes from new clients who would rather choose a male rider for fear of my abilities. I had to quit for about six months for that reason alone but have now returned fully.

Generally, the male riders have been very supportive so I must appreciate them.

A. It’s better than nothing to me. I’m able to take something home at the end of the day.

A. Not yet married but I’m seeing someone (smiles)

Q. There is a notion that sportsmen and women hardly educated, is it true?

A. No! That is misinformed and most of these stars are brilliant and well educated.

For me, I went to school. I schooled at Esigambe primary school, then joined Ebusakame High school and later Maseno Polytechnic where I took electrical engineering.

I chose that field because I wanted to be able to self-employ upon my completion of the course.

A. Currently, I’m a full-time boda boda operator and play football as a part-time hustle

A. Frankly, I haven’t been able to get a job at that.

Q. What is your advice to the youth?

A. To go for their desires, work smart to achieve your goals.