Kenya Sevens Assistant Captain Jacob Ojee on Thursday, July 30, gave a huge boost to an aspiring boy in Mathare hoping to represent the national team on the world stage.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, the professional player stated that the young boy Oduor Joseph (OJ) Otieno, who looked up to him was a regular at their training grounds but never interacted.
"He comes from the Mathare area and he trains at the KCB grounds. It isn't until another player Vincent Onyala brought the boy to my attention that I saw to encourage him," Ojee stated.
He noted that the boy was wearing a hoodie with his name branded on it and took it upon himself to appreciate a fan and an upcoming player.
"I got him a full kit to play rugby with and a hoodie from my fashion house, The Outlook," he stated noting that it was important to encourage young people to take up sports.
The KCB Rugby player who developed an interest in playing rugby from an early age from watching his brother play, stated that the boy's aspiration to play for the Kenyan team on the global stage was valid.
"It all takes determination and persistence because nothing worth having comes easy and I am sure if he keeps training he will also play at that level one day," Ojee who has played for both Kenya 7s and Kenya 15s explained.
Away from the field, Ojee has dipped his toe in the branding and urban wear industry with his 'The Outlook' brand which he started in October 2014.
In an interview on a local publication, the rugby player stated that he started by doing t-shirt branding that grew into the clothing business he has today.
"My main objective was to have my brand and make a mark in the local clothing industry. It started as a clothing brand mostly dealing in urban wear such as t-shirts, vests, hoodies, jackets, sweatsuits coming in different designs and fabrics. Later, we expanded to include suits and ladies' fitting. We also do customised corporate branded merchandise," he was quoted by TheMaverick.co.ke.
He added that he had to find a way to balance both playing rugby and running his branding business
"It is very challenging; you have to create time for both. You have to strike a balance to ensure both ends are successful. When I started, I was alone in the business, and this would mean whenever I was out playing, the business would stall or I would have to miss out on a few games or tours to tend to business and school since I was also in campus," he noted.
Ojee told this writer that the Covid-19 pandemic had halted rugby sporting events but he hoped soon he would be able to get back on the field to compete.
