Johnny Igboka, coach of Anambra Athletics team, has joined other members of Nigerian sports community to mourn a veteran Athletics coach, Tobias Igwe popularly known as Toblow. Igboka told Newsmen in Awka on Tuesday that the news of death of Igwe who was a coach to him and later a colleague remained a shock to him.
He said ‘Toblow’ was one of the best coaches Nigeria has ever had as many athletes who made Nigeria proud at the world stage between 70s and 90s were discovered and nurtured by him, especially those from the South East.
“Up till now, it is still hard to believe that Toblow is dead, he was a great man who brought out the best in the youth at that time.
“I trained under him briefly in Enugu before I majored in High Jump; ‘Toblow’ was the brain behind those athletes that did Nigeria proud especially those from the South East,” he said.
Igboka said the death of Igwe was another opportunity to draw the attention of governments and sports administrators to take greater interest in the welfare of athletes and coaches who served the country in their active days.
He called on states that Igwe served to support the family of the late coach.
“He served the country very dedicatedly and he still had much to offer but coach died without a job, idleness is a bad thing for any sports man.
“We never knew he would die that soon, it is painful nobody looked his way.
“I want to call for support for his family and better care for some of us that are still alive,” he said.
Coach Igwe produced great athletes such as Mary Onyali, the Ezinwa brothers, Uche Emedolu and a long list of other accomplished athletes, especially from the south-eastern part of the country.
