Veteran athletics coach, Johnny Igboka has been honored by the St Michael’s Catholic community in Nimo, Anambra State for his untiring efforts in grassroots athletes development.
Coach Igboka was rewarded with a meritorious service award by the St Michael’s Model Comprehensive Secondary School where he has mentored a long list of talents in all sports and acted as de-facto games master for the school. Most Rev. Paulinus Chukwuemeka Ezeokafor Bishop of Awka dioceses handed the award to coach Igboka, and manager of the school Father Dennis Nwabueze urged the former national high jump champion to be untiring in his efforts in bring up the young athletes in the locality, adding that there was so much to be done to steer the youths from vices and sports was one good avenue to achieve that.
Some of the athletes that have come from St Michael’s Nimo include Shewu Gabriel short put, Ezemba John Paul long/high jump, Kelechukwu Anyadiegwu sprints, Moses Ogidi jumper, Dime Jese Emmanuel sprints, Nwaugo 400m, 800m, Ezeibekwe Kenneth 400m, 800m, late Dike Innocent multi events athlete.
Speaking on the awards coach Igboka noted that it was an honour to be so recognised by the St Michael’s community in Nimo, adding that he would redouble his efforts to assist the youths in Nimo and Anambra in general.
“My joy is to see the kids become something in life using their sporting talents,” said Igboka.
“St Michael’s Nimo, I’ve always been there for them in everything sports, the school fields we’ve been able to put in shape for training and competition, there are so many others things we have achieved together and we are all happy.”
