Sports

How business venture helped Tyrone Owino transition smoothly from football

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By Charles Sisia | Friday, July 5, 2024

Owino advises people in sports not to fear venturing into business or any other income-generating activities

Born and bred in Kinyago slums and also in California Ward’s Biafra estate in Eastleigh, Tyrone Owino has played football as a midfielder for various teams in the National Super League (NSL) and the Kenyan Premier League (KPL).

Among the teams he played for are Posta Rangers, Vihiga United, Nakumatt FC, Sher Karuturi, Sony Sugar FC, Bandari FC, and Wazito FC.

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He was spotted while playing for lower-tier side Kakakuona FC, which brought him to the attention of Kenyan league side Posta Rangers FC in 2012 while he was just 18 years old.

In 2014, he joined Nakumatt FC, where he stayed for three seasons before crossing over to Bandari FC for a short stint, then joined Sony Sugar FC. He would then play for Wazito, Vihiga United, and Fortune Sacco, before hanging up his boots in 2023 while playing for Equity FC.

Tyrone Owino, right, in a past Equity FC match. (Photo: Equity FC)

While still playing football, he started Tokkos Fish Supplies in 2015 and, after retiring from active football in 2023, ventured fully into business.

From his base at Gikomba Market, Owino supplies fresh and fried fish to both hotels and individuals.

But why did he retire early from football?

Owino, 28, says that football is a short-term career and that most players struggle in life after their careers come to an end, and he did not want to experience the same.

“Many players are reluctant to explore education or entrepreneurship because they do not accept the fact that one day they will no longer be active players due to one reason or another,” Owino told The Eastleigh Voice.

“I started playing professionally at a very young age, and, therefore, I have been very privileged to play for many clubs both in the second tier and in the KPL. The reality is that football in Kenya doesn’t pay well, and salary delays are usual occurrences. Most teams don’t have medical cover either, and if you get serious injuries, then you are on your own,” he said.

Owino revealed that a number of his friends have gone through such challenges and struggled to do something meaningful in life after their football careers ended.

Tyrone Owino prepares fish at his work station in Gikomba Market. (Photo: Charles Sisia)

“I didn’t want to go through this, and I, therefore, had to do something for myself,” he said.

Having grown up around Eastleigh, his introduction to business in the expansive Gikomba market was seamless. This, he said, is because as a footballer, he was well-known in the neighbourhood and the market and easily got the support he required to start a business.

“I should have quit football early to concentrate on my business. I am now comfortable and doing relatively well,” said Owino.

His Tokkos Fish Supplies now has eight full-time employees.

Owino advises people in sports not to fear venturing into business or any other income-generating activities.

“The sooner you do it, the better. The reality is that 99 per cent of sportsmen in Kenya will not break into the well-paying ranks, and, therefore, they need to think outside the box. You are better off trying and failing than not doing anything at all. Once your sports career ends abruptly, you will struggle mentally, financially, and physically,” Owino said.