To some large corporations and basketball teams athletes are more than just men and women competing for championships — they’re dollar signs. Successful sports stars are hot commodities, and linking a product to a winning athlete can enhance a company’s image and boost sales revenue.
If an athlete “fumbles” and generates bad press by flaming out or getting into hot water, the deal can quickly turn sour. In no way does a disgraced athlete pushing a company’s product help the image of the company.
Therefore most Basketballers in Kenya seeing that we aren’t so much into endorsement deals, we sell our souls to the highest bidder with the hope of securing our future by getting jobs. Don’t just take my word for it, just listen to the west mall whispers and hear all the players who were offered heaven and earth only to realize later after playing for the team that the speeches were nothing short of hot air.
Personally, I know coaches who have worked day and night to ensure that their players are comfortable on and off the court. There are coaches who will make sure that they hustle for player comfort in any way they can. Coaches who do whatever is humanly possible to ensure that there is food on the table for their players. A coach who can sacrifice an arm and a buttock and even dig deep into their pockets to make sure that players come train and get back home safe.
Oh what a beautiful world we would live in. instead we have teams lying to players that they will give them jobs and nothing fruitful matures.
The last time I remember a basketball coach hustling to get his players a job or something was in 2007, when Posta-the basketball team- offered 9 men jobs, and look at the men now, their living standards have changed, I mean, there is more to life than basketball. God forbid you get an injury now and you don’t have a job, and basketball ends, WHAT NEXT??? Therefore whenever you see the likes of coach Ronnie Owino, respect him, heck kiss the ground he walks on, because he is responsible for lightening up the likes of so many people in terms of jobs and all.Apart from basketball a player has needs,when you can not play anymore,the fame is gone and no one remembers you will you still walk tall?
The whole point of this is to advice our players to think hard before making a big decision to pack your bags and change base due to empty promises made by certain coaches. Look at the track record of the team. How many times has the team offered people jobs, how convenient is it. Seek consult before ditching your own team in pursuit of happiness, lest you become a prodigal son. Make sure you know what you’re dealing with and let’s avoid the old age question of: Is the grass truly greener on the other side?
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