Athletics fraternity mourns fallen journalist Mark Ouma

The athletics fraternity is mourning the passing on of respected South African based journalist Mark Ouma who inspired a generation of reporters of the sport.

Ouma died on Monday in Durban, South Africa after a short illness and will be laid to rest in Homa Bay with burial plans already underway.

“We are heartbroken, to share the news of the sudden death of our eldest son, brother and friend Mark Ouma, which occurred on 10 July 2016 in Durban, South Africa after a short illness.

“He met his death at the age of 56. Mark started off his career as a Lecture in Philosophy at Makerere University, Kampala and Egerton University, Kenya before taking up his passion as an international Journalist at South Africa Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) and moved to Voice Of America (VOA) as a Sports Editor on Day Break Africa News until his untimely death,” a family statement signed by brother Paul Ouma stated.

The fallen journalist who was a common sight at major athletics events particularly the biennial CAA Senior Championships was the son of eminent scholar Professor Joseph Ouma, who is probably one of the most accomplished academics in Rangwe, Homa Bay County, if not in Kenya.

“While we mourn the death of an eloquent speaker with a strong character, we also celebrate his remarkable life as an ardent sports enthusiast with a decisive sense of fair-play.

“This he brought into play, in his diligent reporting and coverage of sporting events in Africa and world over. For those who may ask what they can do to honour “and put an eternal smile on Marks’ face,” we have a simple request, that as you continue to savour the numerous moments of sporting joy, exercise “discipline in sports and ensure a sense of fairplay – always,” the statement added.

Tributes continued to pour in for the journalist when the tragic news broke throughout Tuesday.

“I pay tribute to a friend we shared passion for sports. I missed you last month in Johannesburg and was sad and now with the fact that we shall miss you Mark Ouma for ever i am devastated. Anyway sleep well you played your part. You paid it all. Teri abanja,” Peninah Kabege posted on his Facebook wall that was turned into a memorial.

“So sad waking up to this news. RIP Mark. May You rest in eternal peace. God speed,” Cece Nyaga added.

“Today will light a candle for you my friend. Will miss your advice. Gone too soon Mark Ouma dear. Sleep Well Legend,” Kajet Phatumah wrote.

“RIP. You will be missed at athletics,” ‎Christien Van Der Merwe eulogised.

Ouma was born in Kampala Uganda on Saturday, September 10 and received formal primary and secondary school education in Sydney Australia, Kampala Uganda.

In Kenya Ouma attended school in Mumias, Nairobi, and Kisumu before he majored in Philiosophy at Makerere University in Kampala Uganda.

He began lecturing in Advanced Logic at Makerere in October 1982. Besides Makerere (1982-1988) he lectured in Philosophy of Mind and Development Studies at Kenya’s Egerton University (1992-1995).

Since 1988 Ouma has doubled up as a freelance journalist. He has contributed to the print and electronic media in Uganda, Kenya, Britain, Monaco, France, United States and South Africa.

He has been a member of the Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA) since 1990 and was also a member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS).