Hillary Fordy Echessa
I had the chance to interview Hillary Fordy Echessa; the Kenyan national team player who now plays in Malaysia. A die hard Man United supporter; Hillary is well known in Tanzania having played for Simba Sc and was one of the main players who won the league in 2009/2010 without losing a game under Zambian Coach Patrick Phiri.
This is how the interview went along:
Mj Kassam: Hillary; its a pleasure having the chance to interview you. If you could give us an insight on your football career please.
Hillary: My pleasure as well. I started playing football at the age of 8years in my home town Nakuru, Kenya. I joined Nakuru Olympic youth U-10 years and then graduated to U-14 and lated U-16; and in 1997 I proceeded to the U-17 national team under Coach Mohammed Kheri.
A year later, I joined the National U-20 team under foreign coach Manfred Steve and later captain the U-23 side at the Olympic Qualifiers.
In 2003, I was chosen in the Kenya National team under late Germany coach Reinhard Fabisch. I played at the World Cup qualifiers and was a regular starter.
Mj Kassam: Impressive I must say; so what clubs have you played for?
Hillary: My first club was Mumias Sugar Fc based in Kenya, I then joined Ulinzi Stars and later joined Rwandan Champions Rayon Sports Club. It is there were I was spotted by Mahamam Mroweh (FIFA Agent) and went to Malaysia for trials. Having passed the trials I joined PDRM FA of Malaysia in 2006. After 2 successful seasons in Malaysia, I joined Tanzania football giants Simba Sports Club under Zambian Coach Patrick Phiri. I played for two seasons at Simba and we were crowned Champions having never lost a single game in the league. In 2010 I went back to Kenya and joined Tusker Fc and we were crowned Champions that year. As of now; I play in Malaysia for MP Muar Fc.
Mj Kassam: What is your greatest moment in football that you would always cherish?
Hillary: My greatest moment was when I won the league with Simba Sports Club in the 2009/2010 season without losing a single game! That comes once in a lifetime!
Mj Kassam: Which is the best goal you have ever scored?
Hillary: [Laughs] A 40 yard screamer against arch rivals Yanga in the last minute of the game. We won the game 4-3 thanks to my goal ;) and we were crowned Champions that night!
Mj Kassam: Oh Wow! Yes how can I forget that! I was there at the stadium! In fact I had the chance to meet the players in the dressing room that day! Amazing goal I must say! My happiest moment as a Simba SC Fan as well!
Mj Kassam: How is the football in Malaysia different to that in Africa?
Hillary: Well; in Asia they have good facilities, better stadiums and at the same time the incentive is higher compared to Africa. In Africa we got pure talent with fewer facilities.
Mj Kassam: Hmmm... So had you not been a footballer what would you have based your career on?
Hillary: I was very interested in becoming a Mechanical Engineer; that was my favourite subject!
Mj Kassam: Lastly Hillary; if you were told to take only 3 items to an Island; what would they be?
Hillary: [Laughs] My Laptop, a Football because that has made me what I am, and any inspiring book.
Mj Kassam: Thank you so much for your time Hillary. Is there any message you want to give out to the public?
Hillary: Yes! To the Arsenal supporters: "Soccer is not just scoring goals; its about WINNING! Thank you and stay safe!
*I bet he was referring to their 7-1 win against Blackburn and their failure to win Titles!
For those of you wishing to know more about Hillary, you can add him on his Facebook account @ Hillary Fordy Echessa. By the way; you can watch his goals on YouTube as well!
Cheerio!
MJ Kassam
This is how the interview went along:
Mj Kassam: Hillary; its a pleasure having the chance to interview you. If you could give us an insight on your football career please.
Hillary: My pleasure as well. I started playing football at the age of 8years in my home town Nakuru, Kenya. I joined Nakuru Olympic youth U-10 years and then graduated to U-14 and lated U-16; and in 1997 I proceeded to the U-17 national team under Coach Mohammed Kheri.
A year later, I joined the National U-20 team under foreign coach Manfred Steve and later captain the U-23 side at the Olympic Qualifiers.
In 2003, I was chosen in the Kenya National team under late Germany coach Reinhard Fabisch. I played at the World Cup qualifiers and was a regular starter.
Mj Kassam: Impressive I must say; so what clubs have you played for?
Hillary: My first club was Mumias Sugar Fc based in Kenya, I then joined Ulinzi Stars and later joined Rwandan Champions Rayon Sports Club. It is there were I was spotted by Mahamam Mroweh (FIFA Agent) and went to Malaysia for trials. Having passed the trials I joined PDRM FA of Malaysia in 2006. After 2 successful seasons in Malaysia, I joined Tanzania football giants Simba Sports Club under Zambian Coach Patrick Phiri. I played for two seasons at Simba and we were crowned Champions having never lost a single game in the league. In 2010 I went back to Kenya and joined Tusker Fc and we were crowned Champions that year. As of now; I play in Malaysia for MP Muar Fc.
Mj Kassam: What is your greatest moment in football that you would always cherish?
Hillary: My greatest moment was when I won the league with Simba Sports Club in the 2009/2010 season without losing a single game! That comes once in a lifetime!
Mj Kassam: Which is the best goal you have ever scored?
Hillary: [Laughs] A 40 yard screamer against arch rivals Yanga in the last minute of the game. We won the game 4-3 thanks to my goal ;) and we were crowned Champions that night!
Mj Kassam: Oh Wow! Yes how can I forget that! I was there at the stadium! In fact I had the chance to meet the players in the dressing room that day! Amazing goal I must say! My happiest moment as a Simba SC Fan as well!
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| Echessa In Action! |
Mj Kassam: How is the football in Malaysia different to that in Africa?
Hillary: Well; in Asia they have good facilities, better stadiums and at the same time the incentive is higher compared to Africa. In Africa we got pure talent with fewer facilities.
Mj Kassam: Hmmm... So had you not been a footballer what would you have based your career on?
Hillary: I was very interested in becoming a Mechanical Engineer; that was my favourite subject!
Mj Kassam: Lastly Hillary; if you were told to take only 3 items to an Island; what would they be?
Hillary: [Laughs] My Laptop, a Football because that has made me what I am, and any inspiring book.
Mj Kassam: Thank you so much for your time Hillary. Is there any message you want to give out to the public?
Hillary: Yes! To the Arsenal supporters: "Soccer is not just scoring goals; its about WINNING! Thank you and stay safe!
*I bet he was referring to their 7-1 win against Blackburn and their failure to win Titles!
For those of you wishing to know more about Hillary, you can add him on his Facebook account @ Hillary Fordy Echessa. By the way; you can watch his goals on YouTube as well!
Cheerio!
MJ Kassam
