By Eyere Ekuta
In the spirit of Yuletide reflection, gratitude, and celebration of excellence, the Athletics Coaches Association of Nigeria (ACAN) has honoured outstanding contributors to grassroots athletics development with its 2025 Coaches’ Awards, spotlighting dedication, resilience, and impact within the sport.
One of the major highlights of the awards was the recognition of Gloria Ocheze Ibeh-Odeka, who emerged ACAN Young Female Coach of the Year 2025 (Under 45 Category), following a transparent and keenly contested voting process.
The award process featured two broad age categories – below 45 years and 45 years and above, aimed at celebrating both emerging and veteran coaches who continue to shape Nigerian athletics.
In the Under-45 category, close to 15 coaches were nominated across male and female divisions. After votes were collated and verified, two coaches based in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, recorded decisive victories:
Abdulhakim Idris in the male category, and
Coach Gloria Ibeh in the female category, who won with an emphatic 70% landslide of the votes cast.
Gloria Ibeh’s recognition is rooted in years of consistent work at the grassroots level.
Based in Abuja, she has trained and mentored young athletes from foundational stages to competitive platforms, working with emerging talents and established stars alike.
A former athlete herself, Gloria transitioned into coaching armed with ample certifications and experience, including being a graduate of over five World Athletics courses. Her journey has since earned her international exposure, as she is currently involved in the Saudi Arabia Athletics Federation’s development programme, where she continues to groom and nurture young athletes.
She also serves as the Pro/welfare office position with ACAN Abuja chapter as well as the Talent discovery and Developmental coach in
UniqueStars Athletics club
Abuja, roles she handles, through which she has remained deeply connected to athlete welfare and development.
Following the announcement, Gloria took to her Instagram page to express heartfelt gratitude after being tagged in a congratulatory post by Unique Stars Athletics Club, appreciating ACAN, her athletes, colleagues, and adding that she got all the support and encouragement as a married woman and mother of 6 from her forever Best friend and husband Gerald Odeka. Her message reflected humility, renewed commitment, and appreciation for recognition that validates years of unseen labour.
The Young Coaches Award was proudly sponsored by The Udo-Obong Athletics Academy, an initiative aimed at encouraging hardworking coaches who often operate behind the scenes without adequate recognition.
Speaking on the motivation behind the award, Enefiok Enee Udo-Obong, OLY, explained that the initiative was created to recognise and celebrate coaches who are driving the development of athletics at the grassroots level.
According to him, the Under-45 category was deliberately created because “that is where the future of athletics is being guided.” He noted that many young coaches work tirelessly to develop talents that go on to represent states and the nation, yet rarely receive recognition.
Each winner in the category received a ₦250,000 cash prize, serving both as encouragement and validation of their impact.
The award, which is an end-of-year initiative, is expected to become an annual programme, reinforcing ACAN’s commitment to celebrating excellence, integrity, and service within Nigerian athletics.
As the year winds down, honours like this not only celebrate individual achievements but also reaffirm the value of coaches whose dedication continues to shape the future of Nigerian sport, quietly, consistently, and with passion.
For Gloria, the award stands as both recognition of past efforts and a call to even greater service, inspiring a new generation of coaches and athletes alike.
