Finally, the compilation of The Bandit’s achievements and encounters has been published. Former Head-coach David Dimba (2002 – 2008) reveals all as he talks about the book.
Q: What was the inspiration behind your book?
A: About a year back, the school’s Principal
Mr. Gortazar threw a challenge at me completely from out of the blue. He suggested that if I could put together a book on my experiences with the school’s rugby teams, he would (in his words) “be interested.” This got me thinking about possibilities. I knew that I had a collection of associated soft-copy files from the past; I had not destroyed them. I also had hard copies stored away in a spring file. With the additional knowledge that I had fully been enjoying the process of reporting on rugby games to the school, I did not need too many pin-pricks to goad me into action. When I told my wife about the potential of this project, she also urged me to ‘go for it’ despite my initial hesitation. Here we are, as a result.
Q: Now that it has been produced, what is so special about this particular book? Exactly why should anyone buy it, for example?
A: Let’s state facts as they are. The first fact is that this entity called The Bandits is undoubtedly precious in the eyes of most past and current Strathmore School students. The second fact is that between 1992 and 2009, the school fraternity has enjoyed seeing the exploits of close to 600 Bandits, including the ones who did duty this year. Yet another fact is that each of the games played from then till now continue to evoke memories that are either sweet or, as expected in any sport, hard to ingest. We remember and those memories are priceless gems. Think about it: where will anyone associated with the school get a collection of factual narratives about the games played out over all those years? An ex-Bandit from a certain
SambaSeason could, for example, want to recall the exact proceedings in the game he played against, say, Patch. He vaguely remembers that he contributed towards scoring that try. Though it does not detail every single game played, this book is currently the best source of that information. If that same player wanted to find out what happened either before or after his time in the team, he now has a source. Wherever it can, it details the thrills, spills, heartbreak and explosions of joy that lit up the games mentioned. As a matter of necessity, it names players. As a result, those with fading memories now have something to smile about. It is no exaggeration when I call the book a true collector’s item that is every cent worth its price-tag of KSh. 550. You can get it from the school’s bookshop.
Q: Can you present a sneak preview of one of the book’s sections?
A: Definitely. I’m dead sure you’ve heard of a fellow by the seemingly inauspicious name of
Jeremy Ndirangu. As a student, this character had terrible eyesight despite the fact that he was superfast, superfit and a ferocious, no-nonsense tackler. As Centres, Jeremy and a like-minded character named
Dan Aluvaala made
SambaSeason 2003 one of those that can never fade away from memory even at the worst of times. With the likes of current Kenya international
Wilson Kopondo playing that year, the centres pulverized attacking opponents by setting up an almost-impermeable defensive wall at midfield whenever they played together. On attack, they also epitomized the fearlessness and daring that have featured in numerous Bandits over the years…and this sneak preview only relates to 2003. There are more: read the book. (For the sake of clarity, this response is NOT an endorsement of the TV program Jeremy is currently featuring in…)
Q: Do you think the book will inspire future Bandits?
A: It should. I honestly feel that it will. This book first of all proves beyond a reasonable doubt that from humble beginnings, The Bandits have a rich history. The team is not just a flash in the pan that is just about to fade away into oblivion. It is a very real part of Strathmore School. Those players who proved to be assets to the team in their time did not just wake up and start playing school team rugby. Take the 2005 captain
Andrew Karani, for example. He started trying out for the team as a mere Form One student. While still in primary, he dreamt of one day playing for the team. This guy worked hard. I remember how we would painstakingly work at getting him to execute the flick-wrist passes that he eventually became an expert at. I remember how we worked on his positioning during open play. By the time he matured (in Form 2, mind you), he was the first-choice fullback of the team. He wanted it that badly; he got there. A number of his exploits are captured in the book. If these (and other similar narratives) do not inspire future Bandits into working hard, I don’t know what will.
Q: Now that the book has been written in the format you chose, does that mean that you have washed your hands off the team?
A: Is it really possible for me to do that? I will continue to do what I can for the team since I know that The Dream associated with it is still very much alive. I cannot and will not interfere with
Mr. Omeno’s tenure as current coach. He needs a free hand to run the show. If and when my help is needed, I will provide it (if I can, of course!). Remember that we are in this together.
Q: Any final words?
A: Yes. Buy your copy of the book. As I had said earlier, it is worth every single cent that you will part with. You have now been presented with the possibility of pocketing a permanent record of part of the ongoing story of The Bandits. It is called
I TRAINED HONEST BANDITS. Get it. You will not be disappointed especially if you love the game of rugby as played at the school.
