The Number 8.

Name; Marvin Odongo
Age; 24 years
Home location; Mutungo
Date of Birth; 12th November
Place of Birth; Kampala
Primary School; Kabojja Junior  School
Secondary School; Kings College Budo
University; Makerere University Kampala. (Bachelor in                                   Developmental Studies)
Profession; Development Economist
Weight; On season- 96KG Off season- 100KG
Height; 6’3”
Position; 7s-Prop/Centre
               15s-Number 8/Flanker
Uganda Rugby Cranes; 7s Tournaments; 1
                                         15s CAPS;  17
Clubs; Black Pirates (6 years)
Other sports played; Basketball, Soccer, Floor Hockey


Marvin Odongo started to make his name known during his rugby days at Kings College Budo and went on to debut for the National team at 18 years old. He might have been quite young at the time but for a 6’3” guy, he fit right in. Very few players have the build that Marvin has. Though not the norm for his position considering number 8’s in most cases are big, whatever he lacks in size he makes up for in passion for the sport of Rugby.
Marvin has a great understanding of the sport of Rugby. Not just how to execute on the field but also how to read the game, anticipate the opposition's plays among other things. Its one thing to be talented and a whole other to be skillful. Marvin no doubt is a very talented rugby player, maybe one of the best of our time but he is even a more skillful player because of all the hours he puts into perfecting his craft.  
Well this week we took a moment to talk to Marvin Odongo and get some input into the person he is off the rugby field and how that does or does not affect the rugby player we see on the field every weekend during the season. 

Meet Marvin Odongo aka Mavado.

What got you started? I am such an adrenaline junkie. The rush I get when I am playing is what got me playing. I guess also the fact that Budo had a rugby team helped a little bit. During my First week at Kings College Budo, the school rugby team was playing St Lawrence Paris Palais and unfortunately on that day, Budo lost miserably. But despite that terrible loss, something about the game and how it was organized had caught my eye. I just had to  play rugby after that. It is safe to say that on that fateful evening, rugby stole my heart. I had finally found a sport that was for me.

What is your biggest accomplishment in Rugby? Winning Elgon Cup on my National Team debut.  (2012).

What things do you currently do in your training that are your keys to your success? I try to do everything right. I strongly believe that perfect practice makes perfect. Not just practice!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? I see myself retired. Hopefully with a family. Maybe giving back to rugby in some way. Maybe in the management of my club. I have so much love for the Pirates and I just do not see myself anywhere else.

How do you set your goals? I want to be the best that I can be. So I try to exploit my full potential in whatever I am tasked to do. It’s all or nothing.

What is your biggest challenge and how do you manage it? Time! It’s tough to make time for school, work and rugby! However I am slowly learning the art of efficiency and prioritization.

What is your diet like? I will not even try to lie that I follow a fixed diet, although on days when I have game, my Carbohydrate intake is higher than usual. However, one thing that is part of many rugby players diets and not part of mine is alcohol.  .

Do you have any recommended resources to share with your teammates? To my team I definitely recommend a book by Malcolm Gladwell titled, “The Outliers: The Story of Success."

(I personally took a second to read this book and I gotta say it unveils to you that it is OK to be different, to be unique and to stand out among the crowds. Every person has something that makes them stand out, instead of trying to fit in, we should have the audacity to embrace difference. For anyone who would like to ready this book, here is a link to purchase it; http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3228917-outliers)

What things do you believe differentiate you from your contemporaries? I am extremely committed and passionate about everything I do.

What would you have done had you not become a rugby star? For starters, I don’t think of myself as a “rugby star”. If I hadn’t played rugby, I’d probably be playing another sport, maybe soccer or basketball.

What do you do outside of rugby? I enjoy reading novels and hanging out.  And as much as I hate to admit it, I like playing video games especially FIFA and Call of Duty.

What was the best advice you have ever been given? Not to give up on what you love. Your passion.

Do you have a saying or motto that you live your life by? Luck happens when preparation meets opportunity.

Where do you draw your inspiration from? My FAMILY!

To the left we have Marvin with his beautiful mum, Mrs. Stella Ayo-Odongo and to the right we have Marvin and his three sisters Laetitia, Melissa and Elsie (Front to back).

Which rugby players do you look up to?

International Players;
Michael Hooper. (Captain for the New South Wales (NSW) Waratahs in Super rugby and Vice-Captain of the Australian National team – the Wallabies). 
His work rate, passion and commitment make him an extremely exceptional player and leader.. He also managed to captain both the NSW Waratahs and the Wallabies at the tender age of 23.

Michael Hooper

 Sergio Parisse. (former Captain of Stade Francais and Captain of the Italian National team). 
He  is an excellent leader who possess an extremely diverse skill set. Sergio is a number 8 of great handling ability. His positional sense in the line-out and flair for getting across the gain-line, a trait he and I seem to share, has marked him out as my inspiration.

Sergio Parisse

Local Players
Brian Odongo ( Former Captain KOBS Rugby Club and Captain Ugandan National Rugby Team)
Despite playing  for rival teams, He and I are great friends. He has an excellent personality on and off the pitch, which I think is a great thing. Leadership is one of his greatest attributes and that makes him a role model to not only me but also to many other Ugandan rugby players of this generation.

Brian Odongo

Anything else you’d like to share? I would like encourage every current and aspiring rugby player in Uganda to ensure that they complete their education, for a proper education is the single most important gift one can have.

It is very rare to find a person let alone an athlete that has such an infectious personality that it rubs off on everyone in his vicinity. But a lot of Marvin's teammates and friends have found that in him. He lives life to the fullest. Everything he does, he does with all his heart and 100% dedication. That is what makes Marvin an impeccable leader. He leads from the front and by example, all same things he admires about Rugby Cranes National 15's team's captain Brian Odongo. Little does he know he emulates the same exact qualities. His actions are much louder than his words and you can see his energy rub off on all his teammates at Pirates and on the national team. If there is one Ugandan Rugby player with one heck of an admirable work ethic, Marvin Odongo is your guy. He does not leave anything to chance. And his belief in himself and his team keeps his fellow players going even in the hardest times. 

Uganda vs. Kenya

To this day, it beats us here at RELL Rugby 256 why Marvin chose to play the one position of the field that did not fit his build at all. Number 8 is usually played by a very bulky guy. If you look back at the great Number 8's like Wayne Shelford of New Zealand and Sergio Parisse of Italy, they are both above 110KG (220lbs) of just pure muscle. However for Marvin, he is not necessarily heavily built. But if you know Marvin, you know how zealous he is about proving people wrong. And against all odds he has managed to leave himself a legacy in Uganda as one of the best Number 8's the country has had the pleasure of watching represent them on the national stage. 
Well lets see what other players had to say about Marvin's contribution to the sport of Rugby. 

Joseph Aredo (Red) and Marvin Odongo (Mavado)

"I think he is a revolutionized #8 with skill sets, vision and attack instincts to sniff and create that gap if he ain't taking it himself. Always leads from the front. Few people have stood up against him and come out on top."

Joseph Aredo

(Utility Back KOBS Rugby Club)

Mavado vs. Red. Battle of Titans! You gotta wonder who came out on top!

"He is an inspiration to many players... His commitment, hard-work & determination encourages some of us to work harder and it's a great experience playing with him."

John William Wandicho

(Lock Entebbe Mongers Rugby Club)

"Well Marvin from school you could tell he was bound for greatness. His character says it all. He had a shoulder surgery and he went off the national team but the way he recovered and got back with a bang (man of the  match Uganda vs Namibia) shows u his talent and hard work. He is arguably the  best No. 8 in Uganda later on maybe even  East Africa... He is one the key players that will lead Uganda to their second CAR tournament win and later on the World Cup."

Oscar Kalyango

(Capt. KOBS Rugby Club)

Oscar Kalyango, Marvin Odongo, Joseph Aredo and Brian Odongo

Phillip Wokorach, Oscar Kalyango and Marvin Odongo

"Its not how big you are but its how big you play. Marvin's position needs someone who is big but Marvin has been outstanding in that position against all odds. This brings out the big heart he has and how big he plays... so its not about size, its really about the heart."

Phillip Wokorach aka Wokos

(Kabras Sugar Rugby Club)

"He has come through all stages of rugby... Right from school to club to national he has been instrumental to the success of all his teams. He has great skills and he can do what Philip Wokorach does, he is a great leader and player! He is talented! Not a very big guy but he uses his brains more! He is one player who can change the game positively! He is an asset to Uganda rugby and an inspiration to the young lads."

Robert Sseguya aka Soggie

(National Rugby Cranes 15s team coach)

"Marvin... Best captain I've worked under... Leads by example and encourages the boys to put in a solid shift. Very approachable and down to earth guy... But you never want to get to his bad side though!"

Ivan Magomu

(Fly half Black Pirates Rugby Club)

Jude Kirya, Isaac Massa, Ochan Brian, Marvin Odongo, Jaden Isaac, Muwonge Musa
"ONCE A PIRATE, ALWAYS A PIRATE!"

"2010 school rugby title. He brought it back to Kings College Budo after a 6 year wait. He lost his dad the day of the final, and he showed up and played. I am still dumbfounded to this day... His take on the game is international. He has very good game reading abilities and law interpretation. Plus who comes back from a nasty shoulder injury and puts his body on the line for the country. He might become to Rugby what Onyango is to soccer."

Adnan Mutebi

(Prop, KOBS Rugby Club and teammate at Kings College Budo)

       

"He has been exemplary both on and off pitch to the young generation of rugby players. He is going to help Uganda qualify for its first Rugby World Cup."

Asaba Brian 

(Asst. Capt. KOBS Rugby Club)

Well now we know where all the height comes from!

For all the young rugby players out there, if there is one very important thing to learn from Marvin, it is to never lose belief in yourself. No matter how hard the going gets, do not lose faith. Belief in yourself might be the one thing that stands between you being just good and you being great.