By Anderson Ojwang
International Basketball Federation (FIBA) mid-term Congress Manama, Bahrain recognized and honored the fallen Kenya’s towering giant Mwalimu Paul Agali Otula during its opening session.
During the Mid Term Congress, a record of 167 Federations national delegates attended the event with the photo of Kenya Basketball Federation President Otula was displayed to the delegates.
The delegates also marked a moment of silence in honor of the fallen giant with the FIBA secretary general Andrea Zaglkis saying they miss Otula and his contribution to the sports.
At the event, Kenya was represented by KBF Secretary General Angela Luchivya, who said several delegates sent their condolence to the federation and the family.
“It was such an emotional moment.
Otula was liked by many.
His contributions to the sports were globally recognized and we will surely miss his vast wealth of knowledge,” she said.
Back at home, the National Olympic Committee (NOC) has postponed its elections in honor of Otula.
Otula was vying for the post of deputy treasurer before his untimely demise.
Otula will be buried this week on 23rd March 2025 at his home in Kanyaluo village, in Rachuonyo North Sub County.
The family has planned a funds drive on Tuesday 20th March 2025 at All Saints Cathedral and funeral service on the following day at Lavington SDA Church.
Kibra MP Mr. Peter Orero, who is also KBF treasurer is the chairman of the burial committee, appealed to Kenyans to honor the fallen giant.
“Otula was a giant in all front. We want to honor with a dignified burial.
I appeal to all Kenyans to join hand with us at this trying moment,” he said.
Otula was arguably Kenya’s giant in terms of his height, size and performance as administrators in education, sports, and leadership.
Otula, the country’s towering giant bowed out, after what family suspects to be as a result of cardiac arrest.
Otula was one of the country’s finest education and sports administrator, former Kenya International basketball player, and a respected author.
Otula was a man with golden hand and whatever he touched glowed and turned into gold.
Success followed Otula everywhere he went, from classroom, to the office and into the gym, where he transformed his subjects into the country’s finest products.
Otula was a man of the first, honors, accolades and awards became part of his world.
Otula, the educationist, administrator and author, was a believer in performance with his driving philosophy of nurturing an all-round individual.
He was a strong believer on excellent performance, ability and honesty, the driving principles that shaped his administration and leadership.
From a classroom English and Literature teacher, in Mbita High School, he was transferred to Mangu High school, where he rose to become the Chief Principal, and was later transferred to Maseno school.
From Maseno school, Otula briefly became the Chief Principal of Sunshine Secondary School.
In his career as a teacher and administrator, Otula transformed Mangu High school, Maseno School and Sunshine Secondary School to be top schools in the country.
From school management, Otula was one of the best sports administrators and the longest serving chairman of Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF).
He was a member of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) and led the Kenya’s Olympic team to France in 2024.
He had a declared interest for the seat of Deputy Treasurer in the coming NOC election.
Otula transformed the game and took the country to the continental limelight where Kenya’s National Basketball teams are ranked highly.
From a once empty basketball gym, Otula made basketball to be loved sports and currently, the gym is filled to the brim.
Otula also oversaw the actualization of a new KBF constitution that is in tandem with the Sports Act as required by the constitution.
The news of Otula’s death shook the country from all quarters, within the teaching fraternity, sports, former students, colleagues, politicians, friends and relatives.
