Ngunya village in Ugunja sub-county, Siaya, broke into songs and dance Friday, as the locals welcomed their heroine, Immaculate Atieno, who represented Kenya during last month’s East African school games.
Business along the Ambira–Ugunja road came to a standstill as a convoy of boda boda riders, vehicles and villagers, among them pupils of Ngunya Comprehensive School, where Atieno learns, escorted her.
At the school, some programs were suspended briefly as the pupils and teachers rushed to a field outside the gate to join the villagers in celebrating her achievement.
Speaking to the press, Atieno, 12, exuded confidence of joining the national under-15 girls’ team. “This is just the beginning; I look forward to joining the Harambee Starlets under 15 team,” she said, adding that this will be the beginning of her career towards excellence.
Atieno, who is in grade six and a candidate in this year’s KPSEA, thanked her teachers, coaches and parents for the support that has enabled her represent the country at such a tender age.
Ngunya Comprehensive School head teacher, Dorcas Wanga, hailed Atieno for the achievement, adding that the institution has a strong team as part of the Competency Based Education (CBE) curriculum that offers the opportunity to nurture learners’ talents.
“We are happy and congratulate her for representing the country at the East African School ball games,” said the head teacher. Her class teacher, Anderson Ochieng, lauded the grade six pupil whom he described as a disciplined player.
“She is a keen student who follows instructions and from what she has achieved, the future is bright,” said Ochieng. Atieno’s parents, George Onyango and Judith Akelo, said they could not believe that their daughter could represent the country at such a young age.
“To me, she was just another child playing. I was surprised that she was among the few selected to represent Kenya,” said Onyango.
Her mother called on well-wishers to help her daughter achieve her dreams, while a villager, Rollins Omondi, challenged Siaya leaders to come to the aid of Atieno and other upcoming sportsmen and women.
Omondi said a number of young talents have been wasted due to lack of support and expressed hope that the government and well-wishers will extend their support to the rural areas, where more talents are found.
By Philip Onyango
