Omanyala: My track success has changed my family’s fortunes, villagers now seek my mum’s views

When Ferdinand Omanyala began his athletics career at age 20, he wasn’t sure of what the future held.

At 20, his peers in the sport were already doing well. Some had become household names, others had won major races across world capitals, shattering world records in the process.

For him, it was sheer luck that he was scouted that late, probably. A promising career in rugby sevens, which thanks to his searing pace would leave his markers trailing in his wake, saw him trade the sport for athletics, believing he could change the sprint narrative, in a country well renowned for its track prowess.

It wasn’t smooth-sailing though. Born to a humble family setting, the odds, like for many an athlete, were stacked against him, it was a case of struggle – a fight that had to be won, and a dream that had to be fulfilled.

In 2015, when he practically embraced athletics, he timed 10.4s in his first AK meet in Mumias, Kakamega County. But before he could get going, in 2017, he suffered a major setback, when he was found guilty of a doping offence, and subsequently served a 14-month suspension. At this point, he might have thought, the gods of Wanga Kingdom, his long, long family lineage, had wanted to consume him.

But the Western-Kenya born, turned to prayers, to exorcise the ghosts of destruction. Today, he’s also trying his hands in singing religious songs, a career he could probably consider taking, once his track business is over.

However, at the time, when the dark clouds hung over his young shoulders, he showed the other side of him. He exhibited endurance. He showed the mettle. He showed grace. He showed tenacity, bouncing back big, to win the fight, and become the star he is today. He needs no introduction anymore. He is both Africa’s fastest man, and the National record holder on Kenya’s majestic shores. His fastest time of 9.77 seconds, was set on Kenyan soil, at Kenya’s sporting cathedral, Kasarani Stadium, before an adoring home crowd, on a bright afternoon, at the Kip Keino Meet, on September 18 2021. He believes he can push his stocky frame to the limit, to shatter the 100m record [9.58], held by Jamaican Usain Bolt.

Other than conquests on Africa soil, he has gone ahead to make a name on the global scene, reaching the semi-finals of the 100m at 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the only Kenyan sprinter to have attained such a feat. As if that is not enough, Omanyala remains the only Kenyan to have won a gold in 100m, at the Commonwealth Games, a goal attained at Birmingham 2022. He also competed in the 100m final, at the World Championships, in Budapest 2023.

By and large, he is already decorated. His career is on the rise, and he’s already a Kenyan sprint legend, even if he chose to retire today, at 27.

His impressive repertoire on the track, hasn’t come empty but with some tidy returns in cash, and the easy-going Omanyala, is quick to reckon that his success on the track has had a ripple effect on his loved ones, his parents being the major beneficiaries, he told  Citizen TV’s Sporty Monday show, on Monday.

Because of this fortune, he says his parents have stopped doing “some of the jobs they used to do”, and their status has changed. In fact, in his village, he says his mother’s views are sought, whenever a decision is to be made, a remarkable tale of how situations change, his talent, the game changer.

“My mum can’t do whatever she was doing before,” he said during the interview. “She can’t go to the farm because she always says I am Omanyala’s mum, " he said jokingly. “ My dad tells me where we are living we must change, and that has changed, and I am happy they are living a good life, that is a dream of many kids, to see their parents living a good life,” recounted Omanyala.

“I am happy that they are proud of what I am doing.  My mum is a  bright lady, she is always calling to support me,  anytime I am taking part in any activity,  and that has always kept me going, and I want to make them proud,” added Omanyala.

With the high rate of unemployment in the country, the third fastest man in 2023 over100 metres wishes to see talents across all sports supported, so that many people can earn a good living from their respective talents.

“Recently I have been having different tournaments for different sports and we are having sprints in it,” he explained. “My dream in this country is to have professionalism in sports and with the high rate of unemployment we need to see sportsmen earning a living from their talent,”Omanyala said.

To say that he has broken from the shackles of poverty is an understatement, he is perhaps a true manifestation of what talent can achieve. His newfound status is telling, from driving a modest Toyota, to a brand new Mercedes Benz, a testimony that opportunities abound, no matter where one comes from.

Yet, in all the strides and milestones that his short, steady feet is making, he remains a true picture of himself. Authentic, easy-going, with his ever-ready smile present, even as he tackles media interviews.

His focus, he says, shifts to the 2024 season, where he is hoping for more success, after running 39 races this term. An Olympic medal remains a top, top desire.

Additional reporting by John Kyanda