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Former AFC Leopards captain Martin Imbalambala is now looking forward to a bright future and hopefully joining the world of sports again after blindness cut short his playing career.

Speaking to People Sport yesterday in Nairobi, the 33 year old father of three was optimistic of forging a new career after being admitted at Kenya Society for the Blind (KSB) in January 2022.

“ I have learnt a lot since I came here, but it was tough for me to accept that I was blind. I now can walk, cook and wash for myself without any help. I have even travelled back home to Vihiga County three times from Nairobi without any help,” a smiling former non-nonsense central defender said.

The former Harambee Stars midfielder was diagnosed way back in 2018 with Optic Neuritis, a swelling inflammation that damages the optic nerves- a bundle of nerve fibres that transmits visual information from the eye to the brain.

“ I did not have a club by then and was training with Bidco United as a trialist in Thika town. I thought I had Malaria, but it persisted and after two days I couldn’t see properly, I had no option but to return home to Vihiga,” said Imbalambala who by then had to depend on family and well-wishers for his daily upkeep.

Lady luck smiled upon his life in January when the corporate world came together to help him back on his feet.

The National Council for persons with disability, Fanaka foundation and the Christian Blind Mission made sure that he is enrolled at KSB and his tuition if fully catered for, during the period of his studies.

Imbalambala who also turned out for Vihiga United and Nakumatt Fc has been trained to be self-reliant in life, but had to undergo a challenging counselling and socio therapy session first.

“ It was tough to accept myself, but I did.

I have learnt braille that helps me to read and write and also communicate with devices such as the dot watch and specialised smart phones for persons who are blind and also mobility orientation,” he said.

A fully charged Imbalambala now seems ready for a new life adding that he now wants to study courses on Sports management and is eager to bounce back again.

Imbalambala is thankful to his wife Jackline,Kenya Footballers Welfare Association, his family and all well-wishers who showed up to him at his time of need, his last wish is now to join the world of sports again as an expert and is appealing to the new CS, ministry of Sports Ababu Namwamba to also think broadly of persons with disabilities in his docket.