Okot p’Bitek’s Football Prowess Opened a World of Opportunity for Him
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- February 24, 2023
Kisumu must be proud to be associated with the African Literary giant Okot p’Bitek. He was born in Gulu, Uganda, in 1931. Amongst his many talents were singing, dancing and poetry, but what caught my eye was that he was a footballer.
A 25-year-old Okot p’Bitek arrived in England for his first time On August 23rd 1956. He was part of the Ugandan Football Team, the Ugandan cranes, that had been invited for a tour. During the tour the team played 11 matches where the Uganda team lost 7 Matches, won thrice and drew once.
Misango Arts Ensemble thespians pays tribute to Okot p’Bitek in a play hosted in Kisumu in the presence of the poets daughter – Jane Okot p’Bitek
They lost their first match against Wycombe Wanderers 10 – 1. They blamed this loss on the boots they used for the first time.
Their most memorable match during that tour was the win against the Great Britian Olympic team, where Uganda won 2 – 1. Okot p’Bitek had already left the team and talked his way into an Education course at Bristol University.
He would later study law at the University of Wales and Social Anthropology at the University of Oxford.
I had the privilege of sitting behind Jane Okot p’Bitek, Daughter to Okot P’Bitek, at the Play staging by Obat Masira. Jane is also an accompliched Poet herself, having written a Song of farewell.
“Excuse Me Madam, What Position did your late Father play?” I whisper into Jane’s ears.
“I have no idea. All I know is they used to play barefoot”, she retorts.
A few minutes later, Jane walks onto the Stage. Dressed in pinkish African attire, her afro makes her stand tall on Stage as she acknowledges how the play and actors have been spot on in depicting her Late Father. She tells of her grand father being a very short man who moved to Gulu, away from their ancestral land, changing his name to Bitek, which loosely translates to “Be Strong”. Her Grandmother Cerina was a good dancer, and she figures her dad got his moves from her. Indeed, Professor Okot P’Bitek was a man of many talents as she recalls of times when He removed his shirt and got on stage to dance along with performers much to his children’s chagrin.
Jane can hardly remember their time in Kisumu which was their first home when they relocated to Kenya. All she remembers is that they used to go up a flight of stairs. The family spent most Jane’s childhood in Kenya later moving to Nairobi, Nigeria and eventually moving back to Uganda after Idi Amin’s reign.
As she concludes, she speaks of their belief in God as a family and how their Dad would have them go to Church despite widespread belief that he was an atheist. She confirms that his remains are buried in the Church yard at St. Phillips mission near his home as depicted in the Play. “This play has indeed touched my heart”, She finishes.
The play: Trial of Okot P’Bitek by Humphrey Ojwang’ centers on renowned African writer Okot P’Bitek. A production of the play was staged by Misango Arts Ensemble at Mama Grace Onyango Social Center on Thursday 23rd February 2023. The Play captures Okot P’Biteks spirit by fusing music, dance, poetry and storytelling. It is directed by Odingo Hawi and produced by Obat Masira.
Mama Grace Onyango Social center is a multipurpose venue located in Kisumu city. It hosts Indoor sports, Dance, Theater, Modelling, a French language center amongst many other creative activities.
