This archive report was first published on 14 November 2019.
November 14, 2019, marked a significant milestone in the career of Jack Oyoo Sylvester, a legendary football commentator. Born and raised in Tanzania, Oyoo's journey to becoming a renowned commentator began with his love for the Swahili language, which he picked up during his early years in the country.
Despite struggling with the English language in school, Oyoo's talent and mastery of Swahili paved the way for every opportunity he has gotten. He began his career as a Swahili language teacher at a secondary school in Siaya, where he also played for a local team, Bonde FC.
His passion for football led him to become the local sports correspondent for VOK, where he would regularly send sports updates to the national broadcaster. In 1987, during the All Africa games, Oyoo was called up to VOK to assist with reporting, and he did such a fantastic job that he got recalled to Nairobi and offered a job as a commentator.
Today, Oyoo is not only a renowned commentator but also a published author, a teacher, a mentor, and a barber. He has ensured that he's helped many other Kenyan youths become football stars and commentators, and his legacy continues to inspire a new generation of sports enthusiasts.
