As more accolades flow in memory of Nigeria’s first woman to become a football coach, Joy Nnenna Etim, one of her products, who is now based in England, Izunna Ohakam acknowledged that she will be greatly missed by many people.
Sports247.ng reports that Ohakam, who was the pioneer captain of Community Action Through Sport (CATS), a Lagos-based youth football project that was previously sponsored by the British Council, recalled words of wisdom he gained from Coach Joy back in those days.
Although Coach Joy was actually in charge of CATS’ female team, which she helped the project to shape and stabilise at inception in 2001, Ohakam recounted that she personally encouraged him and was quite instrumental in shaping his growth as a young talent.
Ohakam added that the late Mrs Etim also played key roles in guiding other kids like Chima Uchechi Daniel, who went on to become assistant captain of the Nigerian youth national team, Flying Eagles at the 2009 FIFA U20 World Cup in Egypt, where he scored against Germany in the second round.
Both kids, who joined CATS from Santana Boys FC of Ojo, under the guidance of Coach Iyke Anyaji, were integral parts of the community project during its early days at Government College Lagos, located along Eric Moore Road, as well as at Union Bank Sports Complex on Bode Thomas Street, both in Surulere, with Coach Joy working as coordinator of the female squad.
Before then, though, Ohakam recalled that he had an earlier contact with Coach Joy while she was with Surulere centre of Pepsi Football Academy, then located at NPA Sports Ground, and recounted how she provided important instructions that helped to shape his football skills and build his all-round mentality at an early age.
Ohakam has now joined in mourning the passing of an esteemed lady, who officially became Nigeria’s first woman to become a trained football coach when she graduated from the National Institute for Sports (NIS) in 1995.
“Rest in peace, Coach Joy. You will be greatly missed by so many people that you impacted their lives,” Ohakam stated at the beginning of a lengthy dirge he wrote on the reunion platform of Nigerian Grassroots Football Federation (NGFF).
Ohakam went on to outline some of Coach Joy’s immense achievements during her time, as he added: “She was one of the pioneers in grassroots football development in Lagos State. She played a pivotal role in nurturing and supporting a lot of aspiring young male and female talents, including myself, in our young days.
“My first encounter with her was during my brief spell with Pepsi Academy, and she was part of the coaching staff that gave me the opportunity to integrate into the main team, consisting of so many talented individuals at that time.
“Yet again, I was privileged to work with her in the early days of CATS Project formulation and throughout her tenure as one of the coaching staff.
“She guided us while partaking in numerous British Council workshops, as well as various networking and football related activities and events.”
The youngster, who played in CATS alongside Coach Joy’s daughter, Comfort, and son, Emmanuel Etim (now head of sports at Nigeria Info FM), also disclosed his nostalgia over the rare qualities he observed in the late tactician, which marked an unforgettable personal affinity with her.
He disclosed, “She always supported me, and she had a soft spot for me. She was a coach, a mother, and a role model. Coach Joy was selfless, unbiased in nature, had a no nonsense personality, was dedicated to her craft, and had unwavering passion in nurturing kids.
“She loved working with vulnerable talents and created an environment where young people could thrive. She also made a mark in her own team that was known as Puma Academy. Rest well, Coach Joy.”
Ohakam’s encomiums come at a point in which the Nigerian grassroots and female football sectors await details of the burial plan for Coach Joy, who was part of the women’s national team, Super Falcons’ technical crew in 2003.
Among her products at CATS are Falcons’ veteran goalkeeper, Tochukwu Oluehi and under-20 female national team, Falconets’ former invitee, Kehinde Balogun, who spent some years playing in England before returning to Nigeria.
