A graduate of Political Science from the University of Calabar (UNICAL), David Akagha has opted to push his graduate certificate aside and pursue a career in football coaching, Sports247 reports.
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The native of Akwa Ibom State, who earlier played actively as a central defender with Vision FC, East Side FC and UNICEM Rovers, all of Calabar, said football had always been his biggest passion, hence his decision to stick with it.
Consequently, upon finishing his course at the university, which he pursued to satisfy the wish of his parents, Akagha resumed playing active football, but he had to stop prematurely after copping a knee injury.
“I actually worked as a clerk with Federal Airport Authority in Calabar immediately after I finished from UNICAL, but I could not concentrate on the job,” Akagha recounted.
“My main interest was in football, and I could not rest until I resumed playing again just a few months after I got the job at FAAN.
“Unfortunately for me, though, I later had to stop because my knee was bad. That’s when I then decided to become a football coach. At least, that would still keep me in football.”
Akagha disclosed that he has enjoyed being a full-time football coach at various levels of the game, which inspired him in 2021 to enrol for a course in advanced coaching and training at the National Institute for Sports (NIS).
Akagha further told Sports247 that he went back to the NIS last year to register for a diploma in the same course, with high hopes of moving to greater height in his preferred profession once he concludes the discipline in months ahead.
“I’m quite ambitious as a coach,” Akagha pointed out, “but I’m not thinking of coaching the Super Eagles. I’d rather move step-by-step through the grassroots and academies; so that I can continue producing stars of the future.
“I’m presently in charge of the under-11 team at Island Stars Football Academy. We train at CIS Pitch in Lekki Phase 1 and I appreciate all the support that I’m getting daily from my boss, Mr Victor Akinmoye.
“I’ve added to this my current job the experience that I gained while working in the past with City Foot Escola at Gbagada and Chevron FC in Lekki. It’s been a wonderful progression for me.
“I’ve learnt over the years to always believe in myself and never try to be like another person. I can only be the best of myself. I want to be the best that I can be and teach younger people how to use their talent in the best way possible.”
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