Odu’s football legacy lives on.
He was honored during the Sports Press Association congress in Switzerland. The late James Oduor “Odu Cobra” led a life centered around people and football. He was a football enthusiast, skilled footballer, and football journalist. Many of his friends and family online referred to him as a lover of life who lost his life saving his colleagues during the fateful Dusit D2 terrorist attack on Tuesday (15.01.10).
The 82nd International Sports Press Association (AIPS) Congress was held last night (22.01.19) in Lausanne, Switzerland and a touching tribute to Odu Cobra was shared during the event. A minute of silence was also observed in remembrance of him and other departed sports journalists across the world.
The Awards submissions included an inspiring level of journalistic content from across five continents, confirming that the quality of sports storytelling is present worldwide. The first edition of the AIPS Awards received an outstanding total of 1273 submissions from 119 nations around the globe.
Despite working in the customer relations department at electronics company LG, Odu was better known for his work in Kenya’s football scene. He was the brains behind Wadau TV, an online magazine show which gave fans a voice and highlighted Kenyan football. Two of his stories were shortlisted for the AIPS awards under the African category.
He received recognition for a feature titled ‘”We Must Relive History” Gor Mahia Fans’, that showed the opening match leg of the CAF championships preliminary round between Gor Mahia and Equatorial Guinea’s Leones Vegetarianos.
A second piece that landed Odu another nomination was “Oti Father’s Favorite Phrase”, a feature on a tournament to celebrate football legend, Oti.
A close family friend told The Sauce that Odu will be buried on 2nd February 2019 in Ukwala, Ugenya sub-County in Siaya County. The national hero leaves behind a wife and two young children. His legacy lives on in the impact he made in the lives of many.
