The COVID-19 pandemic was truly a game-changer in the lives of many. Amidst the chaos, while many were grappling with uncertainty, the Kenyan sports industry was not spared, as all football activities came to a halt.
However, for Jackson Macharia, the midfield maestro who now plies his trade for Posta Rangers FC, locking himself up in the house was not an option, and he dared to take a step into the unknown.
Inspired by his father, he ventured onto a different playing field, but into the fertile soils of agriculture, carving out his path in the world of farming and agribusiness.
“I was inspired by my father’s wisdom and driven by a desire for self-sustainability. My father once told me, ‘Invest in the earth, and it will reward you tenfold.’ Despite working hard over years for the government, he (father) had bought his first car from farming,” noted Macharia.
He sought financial and expert support from KEFWA, the union championing the rights and better welfare of professional football players in Kenya through their Mind the Gap program which supports the entrepreneurial aspects of members, and the midfielder was good to go.
FROM FOOTBALL TO A FARMER- THE STORY OF HARAMBEE STARS, POSTA RANGERS, AND FORMER TUSKER FC MIDFIELDER JACKSON MACHARIA
“I was inspired by my father's wisdom. Despite working hard for the government, he bought his first car from farming,” Macharia.
⤵️https://t.co/Vy21GfRLkx pic.twitter.com/1yIfam6CfY
— KEFWA (@kefwaofficial) March 25, 2024
With just one acre of land, Macharia embarked on his farming odyssey, planting onions, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Despite the challenges that came his way – pests, soaring costs, and the ever-demanding need for capital investment – he refused to falter. For him, every obstacle was but a stepping stone towards his ultimate goal.
“Farming, just like many other ventures, is not a walk in the park. It needs patience and you must learn to accept loss, just like in football. The challenges of pests, soaring costs, and the ever-demanding need for capital investment is what makes many give up in this area,” added Macharia.
According to him, the COVID-19 pandemic was not just a crisis, but a catalyst for change. It was a wake-up call that urged him to seek alternative sources of income, to think beyond the confines of his football career.
“I employed two hands to tend to the farm while I honed my skills on the field through regular training sessions. It’s a balancing act, but one that taught me the true essence of perseverance; A football career is like a game, with highs and lows. But in farming, every seed planted is a promise of growth, of resilience, of abundance,” He remarked with conviction.
Macharia is a name synonymous with victory and prowess on the pitch. His journey to the limelight draws back to 2015 when he joined Tusker FC, the 12-time Kenya Premier League champions, igniting a flame of success that burned brightly with two league titles and a Cup.
“Football is but a chapter in our lives, but our legacy extends far beyond the pitch. Let us not wait for retirement to plan for our future. Let us sow the seeds of our success today so that tomorrow, we may reap the fruits of our labor.” Macharia stated, adding his gratitude to the KEFWA Union for supporting Kenyan players.
“To the KEFWA union led by President Situma James and Terry Ouko, I owe a debt of gratitude for believing in us, for guiding us towards a future of prosperity. Together, let us pave the way for a new generation of sports champions, both on and off the field.”
