Ferdinand Omanyala Says He Was Ridiculed When He Started Sprinting

Ferdinand Omanyala has revealed that Kenyans never took him seriously when he started sprinting.

The country in athletics has enjoyed more success in middle and long-distance racing.

When Omanayala and Mark Otieno qualified for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 minds started to change.

Sadly for Otieno, he was disqualified for two years for using a banned substance.

Omanyala a former rugby player became a Kenyan sprint star after his eye-catching performances.

Speaking to Justin Gatlin, the athlete said even Athletics Kenya doubted his talent and ability in sprints.

“When I joined sprints, it was so hard because nobody could believe a Kenyan would become a sprint star,” he said.

Omanyala said when he pursued sprinting he was mocked for trying to be the next Usain Bolt.

“I wanted to give this sport 100 per cent of my time and attention when I started, so when I took my deferment letter to the department at the university, the guy receiving it told me, ‘Are you even serious? Do you think you are Bolt, that you can make a life out of sprinting?’

“Nobody believed we could get to this level in sprints, even the federation, there was a time they stopped the heats after I had run just to confirm if the track was 100m long,” Omanyala shared.

WoK previously reported on how Omanyala was investing his millions.

The athlete spoke on investments he has made from millions he has earned from races.

In a sit-down interview with the Afrikan Traveler, the sportsman disclosed that he has invested in the real estate industry.

Omanyala joined hands with Ask Homes to develop ‘The Hills’ development in Ongata Rongai, Kajiado County.