Growing up in the poverty stricken area of Gulu in Northern Uganda, the talented Ogara had to overcome losing both parents in the war that affected the area.
"Many kids lost their parents and the future looked bleak but I kept on telling myself that I one day I will make it in life," he said.
When his parents died, the Standard 10 pupil at St Mary's Kitende boarding school in Kampala was looked after by his uncle who is a farmer and supported his education and football endeavors.
His football talents were spotted at an early age and he has participated at international tournaments in Sweden, Denmark, Spain, England, Belgium, Germany and South Africa after taking part in the Kampala Kids League.
I am grateful for the opportunities that I have been blessed with so far in my life and they serve as motivation to work even harder because success can really change my life," Ogara said, after his team's morning training session at the COPA Coca-Cola International Football Camp, in Pretoria, South Africa.
Speaking about the challenges of playing in the COPA Coca-Cola International Football Stars tournament, Ogara said after arriving in South Africa almost a week ago they have been working hard and they are expecting a tough tournament.
"I have seen most of the teams that are here and there is a lot of competition. We just have to have confidence in ourselves and play our normal game," he said.
Coca-Cola has continuously organized COPA Coca-Cola tournaments in over 20 countries in the region to promote active healthy living among the youth and develop talent in football.
COPA Coca-Cola has over the years produced local and international icons with stellar football careers.
Your comments on this story...
Very touching story, wishing you all de best in your career remember to continue wih your studies even if you can turn 2 be proffesional player. Education 's de key.
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I don't know about his mother Cojo the gorilla but his father is not dead, he is around here in mzanzi hiding somewhere in Naturena. They should take this guy to his father Yeye.
You sure thats not your son?
Mara abo YEYE benza isono straight, how do u dump your son like this,
Let me take this oppotunity and wish Daniel Ogara Letsholonyane(YEYE's son) all the best in this competition.Good luck..Please do forget to go see ur father once done with COPA..your father is in Nappyrena
young-man, its not only in uganda wre kids grow without parents n in poverty. here in SA we have a lot of kids lyk you on the streets whom we call the streets kids. Sugar mummies n daddies sneak to the streets during the night to collect this kids so dat dey may give dem s3x. most of this kids contacted AIDS bcos this sugar mummies n daddies dnt use a condom.
your life is a challenge n u shuld work-hard n see it as a challenge that you wil work out victorius from. i was raised in a "childrens home" but i never lived a life of excuses, thats y today i obtained my degree, working on my honurs, hve a gal who cherishes me, blesed wth two kids, dota n son...hve my own house although its a 3 room, plans are in place to build a double story house.
wen i look back at my life, instead of crying m smiling. i thank all dose who took me frm the streets n raised me lyk a child of their own. my only family members i know are all those from the CHILDRENS HOME...its quite a big family.
Daniel Ogara, your a darling to be kissed by KING?