A former Nigerian junior International, Ike Udeh has joined the league of ex-footballers with an autobiography to their credit.
Ike popularly called ’Ayaya Potentional’ during his playing career that spanned through ASESA Warriors, NITEL Vasco Dagama, and Udoji United Football Clubs all in Enugu as well as Julius Berger Fc of Lagos told our reporter that the book titled ‘I Chose America’ centered around the circumstances and the process that led to his moving to the United States of America aged of 19 at the height of his blossoming career notwithstanding that he also had an invitation and visa to play professional football for a top Belgium side.
According to the ex-Nigerian Under–20 player, the offer to play in Belgium was so tempting considering the immediate huge financial benefits attached. ‘Winning the then prestigious “Bournvita Highest Goal Scorer Award” for the 1991 Div 2 League with 17 goals attracted many European clubs fighting to sign me but coincidentally I also got an invitation to school and play in the US’.
Ayaya noted that ‘It was a tough call but at the end, his desire to better his education proved stronger over the huge quest for instant financial gains that would have come to him had he chose to go to Europe.
With his choice for America, he went on to obtain Baccalaureate degree in Health & Physical Education as well as a Master’s degree in Elementary & Secondary Education.
‘Americans have the ability to school and also plays sports or work on a part time job. This is one thing that we need to get better with our youngsters in Nigeria because it will help our sports men to enhance their capacity’ he added. Ike now a certified and highly qualified teacher in the State of Alabama and presently a full time teacher and coach with Bessemer City Schools in Alabama.
The book, I Chose America’ has been described on Amazon.com as ‘inspiring, motivating, adventurous and life changing by many online buyers. The ex-player expressed his joy at the acceptance the book got all over the world. According to him, his motivation for writing the book was the desire to have the upcoming generation learn from his experiences. ‘The book is a story faith in God, vision, focus, hard work, service to humanity, family, love, opportunities and overcoming setbacks and I want people especially the younger ones to learn that the decisions they make today will shape their tomorrow’.
In another development, Ike Udeh has floated a Foundation known as Ike Udeh Foundation with the aim of creating opportunities and empowering young boys and girls in Nigeria through Education, Sports and Capacity building. The Foundation which started in USA with lot of eminent personalities on its board is currently finishing a multi-purpose 4 story building in the Coal Camp area in Enugu to serve as Community Learning Centre and Library. The edifice which has multi-purpose halls, library, offices and meeting rooms among other facilities is nearing completion while the books donated through a donation drive in USA are already on ground for the library.
He noted that the Enugu library project is the beginning of a bigger picture because a lot more in in the pipeline. The father of five noted that he decided to build not just a library but a learning Centre to help kids to develop their God given talents. “Our desire is to give back to the society and to impact the lives of children in Nigeria through the creation of opportunities, safe and conducive environment for learning and recreation. As the building project nears completion, the foundation is already planning an essay competition for all secondary schools in Enugu with the finals to coincide with the official launching of the foundation early next year.
