Mary Onyali Advocates for Educational Balance in Youth Sports Development
Ambassador Mary Onyali (MFR), the former Nigerian sprint queen, has issued a compelling call to young athletes nationwide, urging them to maintain a careful balance between their sporting pursuits and academic education. She emphasized that long-term success and development depend on excelling in both areas, rather than prioritizing one over the other.
Key Message at MTN CHAMPS SEASON 4 Grand Finale
Onyali delivered this crucial advice during the ongoing MTN CHAMPS SEASON 4 Grand Finale, held at the Lekan Salami Stadium Adamasigba in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State. She stressed that athletes aiming for elite levels must avoid neglecting their education, as academic excellence is often a prerequisite for opportunities such as international scholarships.
"Sports and education must go hand in hand. Both are important and must be balanced. It is not enough to focus only on athletics or only on academics; success requires excellence in both areas," Onyali stated. She highlighted that many successful athletes have secured scholarships abroad not solely due to their athletic abilities but also because they met academic standards, including minimum Grade Point Average requirements set by foreign universities.
MTN Champs as a Grassroots Talent Platform
Onyali praised the MTN Champs initiative as a significant platform for identifying talent at the grassroots level. She noted that the competition provides invaluable opportunities for young athletes who might otherwise never have the chance to compete nationally. The structured pathway of the program allows for the discovery, nurturing, and guidance of athletes toward elite performance levels.
According to Onyali, the zonal and national structure of MTN Champs ensures broad participation, with athletes progressing through stages in cities like Calabar and Jos before reaching the grand finale. "Young athletes must understand that this is an opportunity to prove themselves. Those who are discovered will be nurtured, mentored and prepared for global success," she added.
Call for Enhanced Collaboration in Sports Development
Onyali further urged for increased collaboration between the government and the private sector to support youth sports development. She argued that initiatives like MTN Champs cannot succeed in isolation and require more investment to expand programs, competitions, and structured talent identification systems, especially given Nigeria's youthful population.
"We need more partnerships like this. Government and corporate organisations must do more to support youth sports development and ensure talents are not wasted," she emphasized.
Insights from Making of Champions (MoC)
Babatunde Koiki, Manager of PR, Communications and Partnerships at Making of Champions (MoC), described MTN Champs Season 4 as the culmination of a four-year partnership focused on discovering and developing Nigeria's next generation of elite athletes. He explained that the initiative offers a platform for grassroots athletes to showcase their talents, with many now competing at national and international levels.
Koiki detailed that MoC supports selected athletes through its athletics club and academy in Lagos, providing scholarships, school placements, and elite coaching to prepare them for global competition. "Many of the athletes we have discovered are now competing in the NCAA system in the United States and representing Nigeria at major championships," he said.
He added that the long-term vision includes preparing athletes for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, calling the initiative "priceless" for its impact on youth development. Koiki reaffirmed the commitment of organizers to continue nurturing young talent, driven by a desire to transform lives and create opportunities for global success, rather than profit motives.
