Board of Trustees Members
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Board of Trustees members:
Mayor Chris Onwuzurike – Chairman
Chief Chris Onwuzurike proudly serves as the Lord Mayor of Ekitiafor-Abba, an ancient kingdom rich in history and tradition. In addition to his esteemed position in local governance, he is the President and CEO of Keo Group, a prominent general contracting and construction management company based in the United States, with branches spread across multiple cities. His leadership in the construction industry illustrates his dedication to excellence and innovation.
Beyond his business pursuits, Chief Onwuzurike is a licensed soccer and track & field coach, driven by a profound passion for athletics and youth development. His commitment to nurturing talent in sports is evident in his active involvement in coaching, where he inspires and mentors aspiring athletes.
As a philanthropist, Chief Onwuzurike founded the Akanchawa Education Foundation, a testament to his belief in the transformative power of education. Through this foundation, he has made significant contributions to educational initiatives, providing opportunities for countless individuals in his community to pursue their academic goals.
In addition to his philanthropic efforts, he holds the distinguished titles of Emeritus President and Patron of ORAUSA, where he continues to influence and support the advancement of organizations focused on community development.
Chief Onwuzurike’s legacy is further enriched by his role as a father to the world-renowned Olympian, Udodi Onwuzurike. His support and guidance have undoubtedly played a vital role in Udodi’s remarkable achievements on the global stage.
Chief Jeff Uju – Vice Chairman
(BS, MBA)
President – Chicago Hope and Palliative Healthcare (Hospice Care Services) and Prestige Home Healthcare.
Coach Anthony Ebogu – Secretary
Ebogu Anthony hails from Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State of Nigeria. He used to be an Athlete in the Marathon Race. Athletic He has represented Nigeria in many International Marathon Races. He started his Career in Benue State of Nigeria where he served as an Athlete and later became an Assistant Coach. After that he travelled to Ivory Coast where he spent seven years. On returning to Nigeria, he joined the defunct Imo State Sports Council in 2001 as a performing Athlete where he rose to the position of Head Coach Athletics and is currently the secretary Imo Athletics Association and the secretary Imo Athletic Board. He is married to Mrs. Nkechi Ebogu and is blessed with 5 children (comprising of a two sets of twin Boys and Girls and a Girl). He has a diploma in business studies. He is humble, dedicated and diligent in the discharge of his duties
Coach Kate Emmanuel – Head Coach
Kate Chinwendu Emmanuel ( nee OBILOR) born 17th July 1985 is a retired Nigerian female athlete who specializes in (400m hurdles & 400m)
Participated in the following competitions
IAAF/WESTEL world youth championship in athletics 2001. DEBRECEN. 12 -15 JULY HUNGARY.
WON Gold at the West African Championship, 2001.
Silver All African games Abuja Nigeria (400m H) 2003
African Championship 2006 ( Bambous)
4 ×400m relay.
4 Nation ( GHANA, NIGERIA, SENEGAL COTE D’IVOIRE) 1ST POSITION
400m hurdles women
26th may 2001
4×400m.
1st Afro- Asian games Hydrabad India
24oct – 1st Nov. 2003.
Region 2 Senior Championship lagos 2001 Won Gold
Victor Okorie – Member (AFN Performance Director)
South East Rep. on the Board of Athletics Federation of Nigeria.
Chief Dr. Uzo Unegbu – Member
Uzo Unegbu
Chief/dr/associate Professor Uzo Unegbu, Medical Doctor, Mba (Omekannaya 1 Of Obinugwu Autonomous Community) In Orlu Lga, – [ ] Orausa National President, President Emeritus Oradc. – [ ] Ceo & Medical Director For Roseu Medical Center, Llc In Laurel Maryland, – [ ] Serves As The City Of Laurel Chief Health Officer And Is The Civil Surgeon For United States Homeland Security
Engr Sir. Ike Okanu
President – Nubiatech Inc.
Cyber security expert
Network & infrastructure systems engineer
Current president of Nkwerre Aborigines Union America ( NAUA)
Current Vice President of Imo State Association of Chicago (ISAC)
President Emeritus of :
Orlu Zonal Assembly of Chicago (OZAC )
Igbo Association of Chicago (IAC)
Enyimba Social Club of Chicago
Lady Justina Akpulo
Director of Sports, Imo State
An Olympian and Handball legend
Tunde Liadi
Tunde Liadi is a sports journalist with over two decades experience. He attended University of Ibadan where he studied Communication Arts.
He began his journalism career with Announcer Express following his stint with Zest Magazine during the National Youth Service Corps days. He rose to the position of Editor, Weekend at Announcer Express before he left his post to The Nation Newspapers.
He has attended some notable national and international competitions including covering the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, 2019 and 2021 editions of the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt and Cameroon respectively.
Tunde has also covered African Senior Athletics Championships among others.
He is a board member of the Imo Athletics Board.
He is happily married with children.
MacDonald Njoku
Mrs. Ngozi Ogu – Member
Chimene Wosuezi – Member
Mrs. Doris Oparaeke – Member
Engr John Chidiebere Kpechi – Member
Chief Bonny Nwachukwu – Member
Engineer John Chidiebere Kpechi
Vice Chairman Southeast
Imo State Athletic Association, operating under the umbrella of the Imo State Sports Commission, plays a pivotal role in nurturing and developing young talents in athletics. With a dedicated Board of Trustees comprising of professionals from diverse backgrounds who share a profound passion for the sport, the association aims to identify, groom, and support aspiring athletes from both rural and urban areas.
One of the primary objectives of the association is to scout for potential talents within the state and provide them with the necessary resources and opportunities to excel in athletics. By working closely with youths in various communities, the association creates a platform for these budding athletes to showcase their skills and passion for sports.
Through a structured program of training, mentorship, and competition, the association not only focuses on honing the physical abilities of these young athletes but also emphasizes the importance of character development, discipline, and professionalism. By instilling values such as teamwork, perseverance, and dedication, the association seeks to prepare these athletes for a successful career in the sports industry.
Furthermore, the Imo State Athletic Association aims to elevate the profile of Imo State on the national and international sports stage by producing a new generation of star athletes who can bring fame and recognition to the state. By fostering an environment of competitiveness and excellence, the association inspires young talents to dream big and aspire to represent Imo State with pride and distinction.
The Imo State Athletic Association, guided by its dedicated Board of Trustees and passionate professionals, serves as a vital platform for harnessing the potential of aspiring athletes in the state. Through its commitment to talent scouting, development, and mentorship, the association paves the way for the next generation of star athletes to carve out successful careers in the sports industry while promoting the values of sportsmanship, discipline, and personal growth.
Mrs. Ezeji Patricia – Director of Sports, Imo State Sports Commission
Accomplishments of Present Leadership
There have been some notable achievements recorded from various Athletics Boards since inception, however, a highlight of the mind blowing achievements of the present Board headed by a sports loving philanthropist Mayor Chris Onwuzurike, the Biological father of Udodi Onwuzurike, the world junior Champion (200m)/ 2024 Paris Olympian and his fellow Board members would be X- rayed.
(1) Multiple sponsorship of Athletes to competitions
(2) Footing the bills of Air Ticket to Imo state Born Chidinma Agu who who was awarded a full sports Scholarship to study in U.S A.
(3) Creation of website for Imo Athletic Board
(4) Bringing Hopes Back for the despaired IMO Athletes
(5) Planning seriously to have an interface with the Imo state Government in order to give Imo Athletics a face lift, eg. Pressing hard so that tartan tracks is rebuilt in Imo.
(6) Having an annual budget for Imo Athletics , the first of it’s kind through out all the various Sports Associations in Imo state,. Infact this present Board is second to none in terms of Vision, focus and Organization .
Achievements In Sports
As an Athlete, dominated the Under-65kg Class, and retired in 1995 as an Undefeated Champion.
Was the Karate National Coach for 16 years (from 1999 to 2015).
The First Nigerian International Karate Referee – South Africa, 1999
International Positions Held
President, United World Karate Federation, Africa Zone 3 2018 – Date
Member, Union of Africa Karate Federations (UFAK) Referee
Commission 2004-2008
President, UFAK Zone 3 (West Africa) Referee Commission 2004-2007
President, UFAK Zone 3 (West Africa) Technical Commission 2016-2020
National Positions Held
President, United World Martial Arts Federation, Nigeria 2020 – Date
Vice President, Karate Federation of Nigeria 2013-2017
National Chief Instructor, Shotokan Karate-Do International, Nigeria 2001-Date
National Technical Director/Chairman, Technical Committee, Karate Federation of Nigeria 2001-2008
Board Member, Karate Federation of Nigeria 2001-2005
Community Service
Secretary General of Orluzurumee Cultural Union 2016-2019
President-General, Ihiteoha Nempi Autonomous Community 2016 till Date
State Chairman, Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil
Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, (AUPCTRE)
Imo State Council 2018-2022
Secretary General, Oru North Leadership Forum 2018 till Date
Orlu Zonal Chairman, Ndi-Igbo United Forum 2021 till Date
President of Presidents-General, Oru West LGA 2021 till Date
Secretary, Oru North Assembly 2022 till Date
President General, Nempi Development Union (NDU)