Paralympian Alex Otieno receives new wheelchair from former athlete
If you are an athlete or an amateur sportsperson you must have required physiotherapy sessions for treatment of injuries, physical rehabilitation, exercise programs and chiropractic therapies.
In Kenya, many athletes do not know whom to turn to when they suffer tissue injuries or want rehabilitation during the recovery time. With many lacking proper medical insurance, it is always very difficult for one to heal properly let alone overcome the stigma that comes after such setbacks.
Many sports teams and individuals have noticed the importance of having physiotherapists as part of their group. Physiotherapists help in many ways in bringing back an athlete into the best form and make them not look like ‘Sunday athletes’
At the Nyayo National stadium, just behind the indoor arena, paralympian Alex Otieno has been helping hundreds of athletes over the years. Otieno has offered physiotherapy sessions to world class athletes from all disciplines and most of the time this goes unnoticed.
The 57-year-old represented Kenya at the Sydney 2000 games and when he hung his boots, he realised that there was more he could do to sports other than just compete.
"I have worked on many athletes who have brought accolades to the country. I really don’t charge them, but many give me something small in return, but really mine has never been about money,” he tells us.
. Hamstrings, muscle pulls and knocks are common injuries to a local athlete and Otieno from his wheelchair knows exactly how to deal with them. 
“Many athletes have come here with different complications and i have dealt with the issues perfectly because I am an athlete and know exactly what it is to have an injury and be in the best shape before a competition,” he says.
Of course no one wants to prolong pain and suffering and treating an injury in a timely manner will help the athlete return to the sport sooner and in the best condition to function to their fullest abilities.
Physiotherapy can also address support for basic principles in any sport like balance, core fitness, and other options that will improve general health and assist in the coach’s training program.
Otieno who is a weightlifter has always had clients visit him but not all come back and appreciate what he has done for them.
On Wednesday July 20, a former athlete Festus Kasyoka retraced his roots and paid Otieno a visit and reminded him of what he did to him 18 years ago.
Kasyoka, now based in the USA, is one of the beneficiaries of Otieno’s brilliant work. The two met at Nyayo stadium when Kasyoka was trying out different sports including athletics and when he suffered a serious hamstring problem, the paralympian was there to rescue him for Ksh 50/-.
"Otieno is the man who brought my fitness levels back. I had a lot of niggling muscle problems as a junior athlete and he's the reason why I am fitter today. My success is partly because of him,” Kasyoki said after meeting his long-time friend.
"I am happy to associate with him. God gives us a lot and a lot is also expected from us. Some injuries do not require surgery, they need the magical hand of Otieno. It's not what I can do for him, but what he can do for the world,” he added. 
Otieno entered the history books in the year 2000 when he won silver at the Sydney Olympic Games and went on to claim bronze at the Commonwealth Games held in Manchester in the same year. In 1995, he won bronze in the 1995 All Africa Games held in Tunisia.
The two friends could not hide their joy and the moment of the day was when Kasyoka presented Otieno with a brand new wheelchair to aid him in his movement.
But I’m grateful that Kasyoka has returned the favour, in a way he has given me new legs and I'm humbled,” said Otieno
“This is like giving me a new pair of limbs. I am very happy that I have two now, I will not get stuck if one gets a puncture,” he joked.
Five-time world cross country champion and now National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) president Paul Tergat, Catherine Ndereba, former footballers Denis Oliech and MacDonald Mariga are some of the sportspersons that have been aided by the ever smiling Otieno.
Otieno who hails from Siaya County suffered from Polio at the age of nine and that did not stop him from pursuing his dreams. He is currently stationed at the Nyayo National stadium where he attends to athletes who are in dire need.
Kasyoka on the other hand chose a different path after heading to the USA. He is currently an accredited athletics coach in the USA.
Now 40, Kasyoki believes that appreciating people like Otieno will also open doors for others who have done wonderful work behind the scenes.
“We used to go eat chapati and beans across the road then come for physio sessions with Otieno, he really helped us be who we are today,” he continued.
Kasyoka who relocated to the USA in 2001 wants to help upcoming athletes achieve their dreams and has organised the Machakos Great run on July 30 at Thwake resort, Koma.
