The Imo State Football Association (FA) is in mournful mood following the death of its Executive Board Member, Mr Sam Nwoke.
This is contained in a statement by the Imo FA Chairman, Barr Ifeanyi Dike, made available to newsmen in Owerri, on Monday.
Nwoke, popularly known as ‘Sam Authority’ hailed from Ezi Ogbaku in Mbaitoli council area of Imo and served as one of the representatives for Owerri zone until his death.
Dike said that Nwoke was elected into the Executive Board of the Imo FA in the last quarter of 2024 following the vacancy created with the resignation of one of the Board Members elected earlier in September, 2023.
“ The Imo FA is pained by Nwoke’s untimely demise which is a huge loss to the football community and the state especially as he died when his services and wealth of experience in football management were needed most in the development of the game in the state.
“ The Imo FA Chairman, Barr Ifeanyi Dike while consoling the family and entire football stakeholders over the loss, described the late Nwoke as one who was passionate about grassroots football development and sought ways to foster partnership with all key players for the progress of the round leather game.
“ As Mr Nwoke will be interred in his Ogbaku home on February 13th, 2025, we pray The Lord to rest his soul and grant his family the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss “, she said.
Our correspondent reports that the Late Nwoke was a footballer, a professional boxer, journalist, community leader, and a development strategist.