Athletes, coaches and directors have counseled the initiator and sponsor of the maiden Tobias Igwe memorial Basic, United States-based former 400m hurdler, Victor Okorie.
Okorie, a board member of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), is sponsoring the Basic to honour the late Tobias Igwe, who was considered one of Nigeria’s best athletics managers. The Basic, which was initially meant for athletes from all 5 Southeast states of the federation, is alleged to have generated curiosity from different athletes from the South South and Southwest area. It’s scheduled to carry within the first quarter of 2025.
A number of the athletes who spoke with The Guardian on the Basic have been stuffed with praises for Okorie for initiating such a programme for the late Coach Toblow.
“I’m excited that somebody on the board of the AFN is sponsoring this Athletics Basic to honour the late Coach Toblow,” Enugu-based sprinter Emmanuel Chukwudi advised The Guardian in a phone chat yesterday. “I’m certain this may ginger different coaches to place of their greatest realizing absolutely effectively that they received’t be forgotten even when they’re no extra.”
Sponsor of the Basic, Okorie, advised The Guardian, that the maiden Tobias Igwe Memorial Classics could maintain in Enugu or on the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State capital. “We’re Might 31, 2025, as date for the Classics,” he mentioned.
Okorie was some of the gifted hurdlers that rose from the varsity sports activities system to rule the Nationwide Sports activities Competition profitable again to again within the 400m hurdles at Imo ‘98 and Bauchi ‘2000. He was one of many athletes found and nurtured to stardom by the late Tobias Igwe within the metropolis of Enugu throughout the golden period of Nigerian athletics.
Based on Okorie, a consultant of the Southeast on the Board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), arrival date for the Classics can be Friday, Might 30, 2025.
“Everyone need to be a part of the Classics to indicate their respect for the late Tobias Igwe for the great work he did for Nigeria athletics,” Okorie, a silver medallist at COJA 2003 Africa Video games. “Initially, we needed solely athletes from the 5 south-east states to participate within the maiden version, however now athletes from some states within the south-south and south-west have indicated curiosity to be a part of the occasion.
Aside from Victor Okorie, the late coach Tobias Igwe (popularly referred to as Toblow) found and nurtured prime Nigerian observe and discipline stars, together with Mary Onyali-Omagbemi, Davidson Ezenwa, Uchenna Emedolu, Clement Chukwu, Raphael Ihunaegbo, Tina Iheagwam and Charity Opara. These athletes went on to make nice impression within the athletics world, giving the People a run for his or her cash when Nigeria athletics was a pressure to be reckon with globally.
