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Why Michael Olunga will consider returning to practising Geospacial Engineering once he hangs up his boots.
Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga has hinted at pursuing a career in Geospatial Engineering once he hangs up his football boots.
Olunga, who holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Geospatial Engineering from the Technical University of Kenya, has long been known as "The Engineer" by his Kenyan football fans due to his academic background.
Olunga's rise in football began during his time at Upper Hill School, where he played for Liberty Sports Academy in the Nairobi County League.
His professional football journey started in 2013 when he joined Kenyan Premier League side Tusker on loan from Liberty. After a year, he moved to Thika United for another loan spell, before making the leap to Gor Mahia in 2015. At Gor Mahia, Olunga's performance was exemplary, finishing as the club's top scorer with 19 goals. His efforts helped the team secure the 15th league title without losing a single match.
Olunga's talent caught the attention of international clubs, and he eventually made his way to Djurgårdens IF in Sweden. His career then took him to stints in China, Spain, and Japan. Currently, Olunga plays for Al Duhail in the Qatari Stars League, where he has become one of the best strikers in Asia.
Despite his stellar football career, Olunga has always kept his engineering education close to his heart. Reflecting on his future after football, he recently spoke to The Asian Game about his plans to return to Geospatial Engineering.
"Hopefully. Life is very dynamic. Who knows? Maybe after football, I will see if I can pursue Engineering further and see if it has benefits because I never practised it to be honest," Olunga shared. "One day, I will sit down and see if it is something I can consider doing once I retire from the game."
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Geospatial Engineering, the field Olunga studied, involves the application of technology to capture, analyze, and manage spatial data. This can include mapping, surveying, and using geographic information systems (GIS) to aid in urban planning, infrastructure development, and environmental monitoring.
With a growing demand for skilled professionals in this area, Olunga’s potential move into the field could be a promising next step once his football career concludes.
Life in Qatar
Currently playing for Al Duhail in Qatar, Olunga has embraced life in the Middle East. He enjoys the relatively easier living conditions, especially with the widespread use of English, which makes daily life and communication smoother.
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“It is easier a little bit and also because most people speak English which is an added advantage to me,” Olunga explained. He also highlighted the benefits of family life in Qatar and the support he receives from the local Kenyan community.
Olunga appreciates how the people in Qatar value his abilities, not just as a footballer but as an individual. “It is amazing because when they come to Qatar, the people believe in their ability, not just football like me, but also jobs and lives.
“ They are really supportive and they back me during QSL and Champions League games and they keep an eye in every game we play, so it is good to have a Kenyan community to rely on when you need help,” he said.
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