- Odongo starred as Kenya won the Africa 7s and qualified for the Olympic Games
- He plays for Daystar Falcons
- He was awarded by the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya and sponsors LG
Kenya rugby sevens winger Patrick Odongo has been named LG/ Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) Sports Personality of the Month of September.
The Daystar Falcons speedman was in a class of his own, starring as Kenya won the Africa Sevens as well as qualification for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.
Odongo was the standout Kenyan player in the squad as he dotted down seven tries in the tourney, including two in the final victory over South Africa.
This came at a very difficult time for the youngster. Despite his great displays on the pitch, Odongo, 19, was mourning his mother who had passed on, on September 9 just before the team traveled to Zimbabwe.
The seven-try hero put on a brave face to don the Shujaa shirt for the first time ever and he did not disappoint.
For his achievement, Odongo was awarded an LG Top Freezer Refrigerator, retailing at Sh115,000. It was the first time a rugby player was winning the LG/SJAK monthly award this year.
The award is a huge motivation
Sports personality of the month Patrick Odongo recieves a trophy from LG .East Africa Marketing and digital Manager Glenda Achieng at RFUEA grounds
“This award is a huge motivation to me as I prepare with the national team for upcoming assignments. I could not imagine that I would be recognized and rewarded by LG and the Kenya sports journalists. I am thankful for the award and I promise to do better in my rugby career with the Olympics approaching,” Odongo said.
LG Electronics EA Managing Director DongWon Lee lauded the youngster for his cameo performance in September.
“Odongo overcame various obstacles and hardships, demonstrating that with determination, hard work, and discipline in sports, one can achieve remarkable results. What’s even more impressive is that Odongo has followed in the footsteps of Aldrine Kibet, another young talent who won the August award. His success on the rugby pitch serves as an inspiration not only to young rugby players but also to the entire global sports community” Lee said.
To clinch the award, Odongo beat Harambee Starlets goalkeeper Annedy Kundu, Ruth Ingotsi who helped Simba Queens win their third Tanzanian league title, Agnes Ngetich who set a new 10km women road race world record and Eliud Kipchoge who won the Berlin Marathon title.
It will spur him to achieve more
Sports personality of the month Patrick Odongo with his teammates
He believes that this award will now spur his confidence moving forward as he looks to become a mainstay in the national team, and his dream being seeing the Kenyan team back in the World Rugby Sevens circuit.
“This is massive for me. I want to keep working hard because I want to be the best and ensure that Kenya is back at the top. I trust in my abilities and I thank the coaches who have also trusted me with this jersey,” he added.
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