Gifted talent shaper – rugby star Felix ‘Ade’ Oloo
When he started playing for Nakuru RFC in 2003, Felix Ade Oloo had one dream, to play for the national rugby team Shujaa or Simbas.
He wished he could one day pull on the national team colours and daily he worked towards achieving his dream because at the back of his mind, he knew he was gifted - he was explosive and powerful with incredible aerial and ball catching skills.
His mobility and versatility to win the ball at the lineout and kickoffs, support his props and push in the scrums and a strong ball carrier to support his teammates in attack while defensively making lots of tackles, coming off the line hard and try and put pressure on the attack, was the strong attributes of a lock player with rare abilities that few players could match Ade at Nakuru RFC.
His prowess at the club alongside his teammates guided Wanyore to the 2012-2013 Kenya Cup title and to put the icing on the cake, Nakuru were unstoppable in the following season (2013-2014) as they successfully defended their league title with Oloo among the outstanding individual players.
With all these achievements and perfections, Ade had his heart beating and his eyes firmly focused on earning a call up to the national team like his teammates Oscar Ouma, Martin Owila, late Mike Okombe, Gibson Weru, Kelvin Omiyo, Lawrence Buyachi, Philip Owuor, Edwin Makori, among others who had earned call-ups.
But before helping Nakuru RFC to win and retain the league title in 2012-to-2014 seasons, Ade who is a teacher by profession had started his warm-up early, coaching kids of five years and above in a bid to acquaint himself with the game and position himself a player meriting to play for the national team.
But all his efforts boiled down to disappointments as he never got a call to play for the national team.
“It all started in 2008 after I had just finished my two-year P1 course at Kamagambo Adventist College where I was then posted at St Francis Samaar in Maragua sub-county in Murang’a County in my first teaching career.
I then moved to Nakuru and was employed at New Life Africa International in 2009 and the journey to coaching began.
In 2013 the game had taken root and I was invited to Swaziland to learn how to use rugby to change lives and New Life School ( GIRLS) was invited again to the UK. This really encouraged me to continue doing more for children.
However, as days went by, one thing never escaped my mind. I kept asking myself what I wanted to be in 10 years time.
And why I was challenged myself that same question was because, I really loved to represent my country but I never got a call up.
It really stressed me up despite the fact I felt I was giving my all in the team (Nakuru RFC) and at the same time serving children to achieve their very best life and yet nothing to show for my efforts was forthcoming,” he revealed.
“So when I realised I will never have the chance to play for the national team, I kept telling my players to keep dreaming.
I told them that one day you’ll be like Gibson Weru, Enos Otieno. Turning to girls and telling them, same to you girls you’ll get there where you want to see yourself in 10 years as I shared my goals to them and coaches,” he added.
