By Bizna Brand Analyst
Twenty-five year old Collins Olimba is a man with a great vision. Almost daily, you will find him training kids at Railways Training Institute South B. The runs a successful soccer academy called Cheza Sports. It’s his baby and he gives his all to ensure the center is running smoothly without a hitch. Being a soccer fan myself, I was impressed by his sports business which is also heavy on the charity spectrum of things. Kids from poor backgrounds get to train too, together with those that are able to pay. To find out more, I sat down with Collins.
- Hello Collins…What’s your coaching background and what motivated you to start Cheza Sports Academy?
I’ve always been passionate about football. Initially, I had been volunteering in a community team called Chez Afrika when the renowned Coach Moses from Ligi Ndogo approached me with the idea to start a commercial academy. Owing to the financial struggles the community team was accustomed to I saw it wise to venture in to a sustainable football business that will in return uplift the economic status of the coaches and cushion the Chez Afrika community team hence the name ‘Cheza’ being maintained.
By then December 2012, I already had vast coaching experience having worked with Cheza Afrika, Brainwave Talent Centre (Kakamega) and Cool Boys Fc (Mombasa).
- Are you alone or there are people you work with?
I work closely with a fellow coach Emmanuel and a team of coaches and some volunteer parents in the Welfare and Resource Mobilization Committee.
- What makes your academy different from the others that are out there?
I would say three things:
(1.) Individual attention to players
(2.) Professional coaching and environment
(3.) Support & follow-up
Apaprt from the fact that we classify ids into different age groups, I truly believe in paying attention to each child as an individual and getting to know ‘what makes them tick’. Of course it takes time to build a great relationship with players and parents. It’s not something that can be rushed and there are no quick-fixes. But it’s at the heart of the incredible success we’ve helped so many players achieve – when players, parents and coaches all get on the same wavelength and you have the right programme, in a great environment with people who really know what they’re doing…and you have feedback, follow-up and continuity…magical stuff can happen. We take great pride in our work and professional standards and want every child to LOVE coming to our sessions, to have fun, while developing a whole range of Football and life skills
- What are some of the challenges that you face running the academy?
Having started with little capital, we are faced with expansion challenges as it requires more finances. I would love to make this academy even bigger but that requires funds
Part of our efforts are geared towards supporting the less fortunate and talented players; some are phased with of the field challenges like food, housing, clothing and education. But we are keen to help them get stable loves that shall enable them to play soccer well.
- How do you make your money?
Parents (Clients) of kids who are enrolled pay monthly fees for training We also make some of our money from merchandise sales.. At the moment, we make around 30 to 40K a month.
- Do you make a living out of Cheza Sports or do you have other business ventures?
I do make a living out of Cheza Sports. I put all my efforts to it
- How many people are currently enrolled?
The Academy has a population of about 150 students all of whom get the opportunity to play
- What are some of plans for Cheza Sports going forward?
The immediate plans are as follows:
a. Looking for ways to generate financial stability to meet the daily running of the academy
b. Exhaust the market base of South B, South C and Nairobi West areas and get most of the kids enrolled. We want them to learn how to play football the professional way. It also helps in their exercise.
c. Establish partnerships with other organizations
The medium plans are:
a. Have a means of transport to be dropping players residing outside South B for training
b. Improve participation in regional and international tournaments
c. Expand centres around Nairobi
For the long term plans
a. Export players to Elite Leagues
b. Build a club house with gym, field and other facilities
c. Participation in the higher tier league
- What would you do differently if you were to go back to the beginning?
I would have had more soccer clinics in schools from early on. Soccer clinics enable the easy identification of talented players
- Any advice to other people who would like to follow your path
Patience, commitment, and sacrifice. As a coach its vital to have an open mind or Growth mindset, to borrow from. Don’t get stuck in your ways or a routine. Stay fresh, open to new ideas and what other people can teach you. If your going to your session and just going through the motions, then that’s a problem. I work full time in football and coach every day, I have to keep being reflective and ensure I’m challenging myself and more importantly the players. Also focus on the charitable side of things not just the money. Through helping others, we become blessed
