Oliech set for KNVB coaching clinic in South Africa

Kenyan football icon, Dennis Oliech, has been sponsored to attend a professional coaching workshop in South Africa by a British-based local betting firm.

The retired Harambee Stars captain was the subject of rumours swirling in local media that the company was mulling terminating his ambassadorial role with the firm but the latest development announced Friday has dispelled the claims.

Oliech, the country’s all time leading scorer will go through the groundwork for a future in coaching, social development, technical skills, age training and the organizational skills to run football tournaments having announced his retirement at the beginning of the year.

“Our aim is to equip Dennis with the essential skills a football coach needs. He will then be able to pass on that knowledge as well as skills to youth in Kenya,” the firm’s Country Manager Wanja Gikonyo said.

“This is the first among many training opportunities that Betway has lined up for Dennis. As our ambassador, he will be heavily involved in football talent development across the country. This is one of the ways we are contributing towards spurring development of football in Kenya,” she added.

The week-long training will take place at the famed South Africa World Coaches Konink Nederlandse Voetbal Bond (KNVB) workshop.

The South Africa World Coaches KNVB Workshop has ambassadors such as Nwankwo Kanu, Ruud Gullit, Philip Cocu, Pierre Van Hooidonk and Kalusha Bwalya.

The KNVB program has trained coaches in countries around the world since 1997 and specializes in transforming individuals ranging from physical education teachers to former professional footballers – all into World Coaches who then impart their knowledge on their communities.

Oliech first played for the national team in 2002 when as a 17-year-old against Nigeria in an international friendly in Lagos. After that, he went on to play in 68 matches for Stars and scored 34 goals.

He turned professional in 2003 and has played for Al-Arabi in Qatar, French League 1 teams Nantes and Ajaccio, league 2 side Auxerre and Dubai CSC in the UAE Division 1 league.

He travels to South Africa on Saturday.