By Uzor Odigbo
One of Nigeria’s best female long jumpers, Chinedu Odozor-Onikeku has emphasized that former Athletes were able to survive owing to education which guaranteed employment for them.
Odozor-Onikeku spoke against the background of today’s AthIetes disliking education for sports.
After watching Athletes at the just concluded National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State, she said, “I hope these AthIetes are in school and doing fine in their education pursuit.”
According to her, Sports may probably attract instant financial gains, but has no pension value.
She insisted that in the past, schooling was key and veritable avenue to catch them young, adding that, young talents after the U-15 level want to ply their sports trade abroad by temporarily putting education aside.
“When I was a youngster growing up during my primary and secondary school days, Sports was a second choice while education is first. It really paid off because after my sporting years which didn’t last long, was replaced by education which gave me employment and the last line that sustains me now as an adult”.
The former Sprinter who is coaching AthIetes at her spare time advised youngsters to learn from AthIetes who are suffering today following lack of education.
“Sports is a temporary activity which attracts money in the interim, but at the long run, disappears leaving one stranded. Young talents must go to school, love education and practice Sports as alternative,” she said.
