ROAD TO RECOVERY: MY HOPE IS TO PLAY FOR HARAMBEE STARS- KELVIN MWAVALI

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Coincidentally, it was then that the Kenya Footballers Welfare Association (KEFWA), a union mandated to champion and advocate for the rights and welfare of professional football players, paid him a visit, after being informed of the issue while in Vihiga.

“The very same day that the doctor came, KEFWA paid me a visit. I was surprised to see my senior James Situma and his team because I wasn’t expecting them. After a brief talk with my dad, KEFWA immediately took action,” he explains.

Mwavali was admitted to Kakamega General Hospital, where he noticed much improvements.

It is during this time that unfortunately, his father passed away after a short illness. With his condition improving, he went back for regular checkups at Kakamega and was assigned a physiotherapist.

“I went to see a physiotherapist for two weeks. He would ask me to take the ball and go to the empty rooms where I would hit the ball on the wall and receive it. As I continued with the exercise, I was not feeling the pain in my leg. The pain was deep inside my heart since I was filled with fear, anger, depression and trauma. The physiotherapist helped me to manage my fears, encouraging me to kick hard even if it was a long pass,” states Mwavali.

Soon, he was fully healed, something he terms as a “miracle”, since he was absorbed back to his former team, Vihiga Bullets Fc.

“I thank KEFWA so much for coming to my aid. I never believed I could be back to play football since all the odds were against me. I encourage other football players in Kenya not to give up on their talents incase of an injury” notes the midfielder.

Like any dreamer, Mwavali has big dreams and his hope is now to play football to international standards, also featuring for the national team, Harambee Stars.

He was recently signed by KPL side Talanta Fc, after a short stint in Tanzania with Fountain Gates Fc.

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