In support of Chemelil Youth Football Club, the Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu has donated a van to the club that helped nurture his talent.
The 14-seater capacity vehicle will go a long way in aiding the team’s transport as they feature in the Kisumu County League.
Speaking during the van’s handing over ceremony at Chemelil Sports Complex, Chemelil Okumu’s father, who is also the club’s Chief Executive Officer, Hillary Ouma conveyed Okumu’s message.
“Okumu in his message to Chemelil Youth FC asked me to inform you all about the donation of this van which will facilitate players transport to honor their Kisumu County league matches. It is an appreciation of the fact that his football career started at this club, popularly known as Guza Guza, among Chemelil Sugar football fraternity fans,” Ouma was quoted by The Standard.
The occasion equally served as unveiling ceremony of a partnership programme between Chemelil Youth FC and Chemelil Sugar Company which was presided by the Company’s Interim Managing Director (IMD) Jacqueline Kotonya.
Kotonya assured that the Company will strongly partner with the youth club, which has safeguarded the youthful players from socially destructive behavior, to ensure it succeeds in its set goals.
Okumu has played club football for the defunct Chemelil Sugar FC, Free State Stars of South Africa and AFC Ann Arbor in the USA.
On 16 August 2018, Okumu signed for USL Championship side Real Monarchs. A year later on 28 August 2019, Okumu transferred to Swedish Allsvenskan side IF Elfsborg for an undisclosed fee.
He signed for Belgian club Gent on 21 June 2021 for €3.5 million (Ksh 579,398,319.50) before moving to the French club Reims in July 2023.
