By Daily Sports on December 20, 2019

One of Nigeria’s most famous athletics coaches, Tobias Igwe, also known as Toblow, is dead.

According to family members, Coach Igwe died yesterday from effects of a devastating stroke he suffered recently.

In a message made available to The Guardian, a member of the Igwe family, Daniel wrote: “Sad to announce the passing on of great coach Igwe also known as Toblow. He died after suffering from high blood pressure and partial stroke.”

Toblow was credited with discovering such successful athletes as double Olympics bronze medallist, Mary Onyali, the Ezinwa brothers, Osmond and Davidson, middle-distance runner, Tony Osheku, quarter-miler, Airat Bakare and Sunday Uti, the first Nigerian to run sub-45 seconds in the 400m.

He also converted reigning Nigerian 400m hurdles record holder and 1987 IAAF World Championships finalist, Henry Amike from handball to track and field and discovered, trained and groomed Tina Iheagwan to become the first Nigerian world champion in track and field.

Reacting to the news of Igwe’s death, Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s (AFN) Acting President, Olamide George expressed shock at the passing of a man who many have credited with the geometrical successes recorded by Nigeria in the 1980s and 1990s.

“This is devastating. We have lost a true transformer of talent. Coach Igwe was linked with many of the athletes who brought honour to Nigeria in the 1980s and 1990s.

“It is on record he led the first Nigerian team to the IAAF World Junior Championships in Athens, Greece in 1986 to ninth position on the medals table with Nigeria emerging world champions in the women’s 100m (Tina Iheagwan) and 200m (Falilat Ogunkoya),” said George.

The AFN acting president revealed the federation has contacted the family of late coach Toblow.

“Our heartfelt condolences to the family of late Coach Igwe during this time of sorrow. You’re in our thoughts and prayers and we are here for whatever you need.”

George revealed the board of the federation would meet in the new year to discuss the best way to honour the late coach.

“It is the least we can do as a federation. We were discussing how to honour him for his selfless service to Nigeria about a fortnight ago not knowing death was lurking around to take the great Toblow away from us,” he said.

In her reaction, Nigeria’s former queen of the tracks, Mary Onyali said she was heartbroken while describing Toblow as a super great coach.

“Today marks yet another sad day in my life as I lost yet another dear person to my heart. Coach Tobias Igwe alias TOBLOW.

“This is the man who made me what I am today in sports and life in general. My heart is Sooo heavy as I write, but only God knows why you have to go now and we can’t question Him. You’ve run a great race on earth as an athlete, a SUPER GREAT COACH, and a Sports Administrator. My Love, sleep well in the bosom of the Lord until we meet again to finish what we started,” Onyali, a senior adviser on sports to the Youth and Sports Development Minister, wrote on her Facebook wall. (The Guardian)

•PHOTO: Late legendary athletics coach Tobias Igwe

Source Daily Sports

Posted December 20, 2019

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