At just 23 years Farouk Ochimi made a decision that changed his life for the better when he saw an opportunity for him to improve not only as an individual but also a cricketer.
He had just been selected for the World Cup Qualifiers in New Zealand, a team that had some notable names like Arthur Kyobe and Hamu Kayondo missing.
His star was rising, greatly helped by then national coach Matin Suji who gave him his first taste of senior cricket but also helped him with his pace bowling.
While in New Zealand Ochimi thought about his fortunes and he chose to stay behind with his mate Raymond Otim both had different means but same end to improve on their lives.
Asked if he wasn’t scared of surviving in the unknown given he was such a young boy, he says;
I was not afraid because I wanted a life for my self and in order to get that life I had to be courageous. My family was worried though especially my mum and my siblings.
During the tournament Ochimi made up his mind not to return to Kampala an idea that wasn’t preconceived as most people would think
I decided to stay when I was in New Zealand. I did not go back to Uganda because of a number of reasons.
I saw better opportunities to improve my cricket skills and abilities, and to get a better education so that I can give back the skills and education that I have learnt to my country basically trying to give back to my roots where I came from.
Chimzy as he is popularly known in cricket circles, while here was very lively young lad with is American accent.
I captained him in Wanderers in that season we lost the league on the last day of the season. He had been through Busoga College Mwiri and was persuing a diploma at Cavendish University before choosing to start a new life in New Zealand.
More than 4 years on, Chimzy is making a life for himself. He realized that he needed to advance his formal education which will give him a good fall back when his sports career is over.
It’s been almost 4 years and life has been a journey in a sense that I started school studying a conjoint degree of communications and sports science, started driving and living an adult life of being responsible and being a role model to people the individuals that appreciate my efforts.
I did my level 2 coaching and work as a volunteer coaching cricket in schools playing cricket on county levels and modelling for the University of Waikato.
Like everyone Chimzy misses home especially playing for Uganda and he says he is available when a call up comes his way.
I do miss Uganda, my friends and family and I miss playing for my country. I would love to to come back and play for Uganda anytime from now as long as I get invited to come and play.
It’s easy to judge why players never return but in hindsight they actually help. Ronald Serugo was one of the boxers at the Rio Games, Patrick Ochan plays for national team whenever he is called upon.
Sometimes instead of looking at them as black sheep, we should instead embrace their new identities most of them are willing to give back to where their journeys started.
Ochimi now plays for his local Hamiliton side and he is staying in shape in case a call up to the national team comes up.