21-05-2025
Chiedozie Ogbene named Ipswich 'Community Champion' - 'It was close to home because my little sister's Down syndrome'
Ireland's Dara O'Shea was the headline winner, named Ipswich Men's Player of the Year at the club's end-of-season awards on Monday.
But there was a surprise award too for his international teammate Chiedozie Ogbene, underlining the regard the club already has for the popular Corkman, despite him playing just six times since his move from Luton Town.
Ogbene's season was cut short last October when he ruptured his Achilles against Brentford. But the current Ireland player of the year was named Ipswich's PFA Community Champion of the Year, alongside women's player Natasha Thomas.
After his injury, Ogbene approached the club to see if there was a way he could contribute off the field, while unable to play a part on it.
And after attending several events on behalf of the club's disability programme, he was named Ipswich's Disability Ambassador. The award recognises his work in the role.
Speaking at the awards night, Ogbene revealed the motivation for his involvement was partly his younger sister's Down syndrome, but also a sense of joy that he can impact lives by giving a few minutes of his time.
"When I joined this programme, it's because it brought me a lot of joy. It was close to home because my little sister's Down syndrome, so I was doing this for my own benefit, so I can truly bond with her.
"So I am really, really grateful for this recognition of my work off the pitch.
"I'm in a privileged position. Professional footballers, we're in a privileged position to influence the younger generation.
"There's something in my head that I get so much joy by being a small part in anyone's life and trying to change their life.
"Thirty minutes that I spend with them, it changes their life, and it has a massive impact on them. I've met some amazing people in this programme, and they've taught me a lot on how I can interact better with my little sister.
"It's something that I went in with the mindset of wanting to learn, and I've come out with some really good experiences in it."
It mightn't be the typical reaction to a heartbreaking injury that has already kept him out of action for six months, but Ogbene's instinct was to make himself useful to the club in some way.
"That's just the family I come from. My parents always embedded in me to be humble and to give back to the community and to give back to the people around me.
"Since I became the first African-born player to play for Ireland I see how much it means to kids.
"I see myself as just a regular guy, Chieo, but what I can do on and off the pitch can change their lives so I just wanted to offer myself another way.
"It's helped me as well. It's helped me pass time, it's helped me with my injury. Because I have other stuff to focus on. It was a pleasure for myself as well.
"It makes me happy that I am able to interact with different groups and learn from them as much as they are learning from me."
Ogbene has found it particularly moving to be so warmly appreciated at the club despite his limited playing time.
"It's magic. I play six games for Ipswich, but I mean a lot to some of these guys at the programmes, and that's what's helped me go through it, and that's why I do what I do.
"Even playing six games, they know my name and they know who I am, it's what makes me keep going. You know, I'm truly grateful to be in this privileged position that I am in."
And the end-of-season award was the surprise silver lining in a difficult season.
"I was overwhelmed, like, I couldn't believe it. I'm not playing and stuff. I was actually scratching my head, because I've been injured, like. I was just actually caught off guard."
