Wycliffe Omom: A journey of healing in football

However, Wycliffe Omom, a seasoned physiotherapist, has been silently weaving his magic in the background, helping athletes recover from injuries and ensuring they stay at the peak of their performance.

In an exclusive interview with Citizen Digital, Omom shared his inspirational journey and shed light on his experiences in the Kenyan and Tanzanian football landscape.

When asked about his motivation to become a physiotherapist and his choice of football as the sport to specialize in, Omom's story unfolded.

"In high school, I played a bit of amateur lawn tennis. I would get occasional slight injuries and pain and wouldn't get a professional injury expert except a school nurse to do the basic treatment," he recalled.

It was through these experiences that Omom realized the importance of physiotherapy in sports injury management. The lack of accessible professional help prompted him to delve into the field. He chose football due to its diversity of injuries, which allowed him to gain real-world experience.

"I was lucky to be given an opportunity as a greenhorn by Bob Munro, Mysa founder, to work with Mysa and Mathare United in 2012," he added.

Omom's journey through the football landscape is nothing short of remarkable. He served Mathare United from 2012 to 2021, during which he joined Harambee Stars in 2016. In 2021, he took on a new challenge with the newly promoted KPL side, Kenya Police FC.

Reflecting on his experience, Omom stated, "It was a good experience because of limited resources, many players don't get full professional medical attention due to budget constraints."

He highlighted the low penetration of sportsmen's medical insurance and the poor condition of football pitches, which often led to serious ankle and knee problems.

The much-traveled physio delved into his transition to the Tanzanian football scene, particularly his move to African giants Simba Sports Club. Asked about the moment Simba came calling, Omom confessed that the offer wasn't as immediately exciting as one might expect. 

His stable private practice in Nairobi made him hesitant to make the move. However, after careful consideration and the realization of the benefits working with the prestigious club would bring, he decided to embrace the new global opportunity to widen his practice scope.

Comparing his experiences in Tanzanian and Kenyan football, Omom acknowledged the passionate support of fans in Tanzania.

"Football fans here are overjoyed by their teams; they fully embrace their team as they own and demand value," he explained. 

He also noted the deep recognition of professionals' roles in team success and the emphasis on players' and staff members' welfare. Omom highlighted the unveiling ceremony of Simba Sports Club, where the Tanzanian president's presence underscored the impact football has on the country.

As the new season approaches after the Ngao ya Jamii match, equivalent to the charity shield in England, Omom is eagerly looking forward to the challenges and triumphs that lie ahead.

"Looking forward to a successful local premier league season and amazing performance in the international CAF competitions, including the inaugural super cup," he shared optimistically.

Wycliffe Omom's journey from amateur tennis player to a renowned football physiotherapist is one that is rarely mentioned. His story reflects the often-unseen heroes who play a vital role in shaping the sporting world.