Benson Udeh, Anambra Coach Dies After Nine Years Of Spinal Cord Injury
It was a sunny afternoon in July 2016 when the news broke that some occupants of a shuttle bus going to Rojenny Stadium were involved in a road crash.
The travellers were later identified as the football team of Aguluezechukwu Secondary school who were on their way to honour the final match of the first Willie Obiano Academical Cup against Isuaniocha team.
Benson Udeh, a versatile grassroots coach, was leading the team as their coach but that was the beginning of his journey to immobility and demise.
Udeh sustained a spinal cord injury that kept him bedridden since the day of the accident while the players sustained varying degrees of injuries.
Prof. Kate Omenugha, Commissioner for Education at that time abruptly ended her speech and joined the first responders and ensured he was moved to Chukwuemeka Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital for the best attention.
Credit must be given to the Chief Medical Director and Commissioner for Youth and Sports who rallied round Udeh while at Amaku and recommended him for Memphis Specialist Enugu.
In spite all medical efforts to help him back to normal life, Benson Udeh never walked again.
He retired to wheelchair and bed for the rest of his life, even though he was down, he refused to be out.
Even though he could not engage in physical activities, Udeh continued his passion from his waterbed inspiring scouting, trials and connecting coaches to scouts with the aim of giving young players opportunities to greener pastures.
On Tuesday, Sept. 2, Benson breathed his last, he lost his battle for life.
Benson’s was a story of pain, courage and resilience.
He was the reason why Anambra had a Gymnastics team and the last time the state featured the team was in Oturkpo, Benue State in 2014.
He played a remarkable role in grassroots talent hunt and development.
May God grant him eternal rest.
