Onyali tasks Nigerian youths on education, sports

Former Nigerian Olympian, Commonwealth and multiple medals winner, Ambassador Mary Omagbemi Onyali has urged young athletes to prioritise education alongside sports, stressing that learning remains essential for life after active competition.

The former Nigerian sprinter spoke at the “Future Nigerian Olympians Programme” held at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, where she highlighted the need for balance between sport and academics.

Onyali, an Olympian and multiple medallist, said athletes should not depend solely on sports, noting that education provides a safety net after retirement.

She said sports have age limits, but education does not.

ALSO READ: NSC chairman to meet youths, sports stakeholders in Abuja

Onyali also referenced the financial difficulties faced by some former athletes, saying many who relied only on sports during their careers now struggle after retirement.

The Barcelona 92, Olympics 4×100m bronze medalist, called on the athletes on the African continent, especially Nigerians, to make education their major priority.

“Education is a very key factor in one’s life, especially for athletes, and this is because once you retire, you will have something to fall back on.

“There is no age limit in education, but there is in sports,” she said.

The 58-year-old, who started representing Nigeria in 1983 and later hung her spike shoe after Athens 2004 in Greece, lamented on the present financial challenges faced by some of her colleagues who solely depended on athletics during their prime time.

Onyali further added, “Many of our colleagues who depended solely on sports are now feeling the heat because things are not going smoothly as it was expected, so it was based on this I am appealing and urging the young ones now to combine education and sports so as to better their future and have something tangible to fall back on.”

The 5-time Olympian who represented Nigeria at the Seoul Olympics 1988 to Athens 2004, was in quartets of Christy Opara, Utondo Beatrice, and Faith Idehen who won a bronze medal for Nigeria in 1992 and her individual bronze medal in 200m, at Atlanta 1996 Olympics.

Onyali, who had her education at Texas Southern University, USA, had her best personal athletics records at various track events, which include 100m(10.97), 200m(22.07), and 400m(54.21).