Mary Onyali Advocates Sports-Education Balance for Youths

During the MTN Champ Season 4 grand final held at Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, former Nigerian sprint queen Mary Onyali called on young athletes across the country to maintain a balance between sports and education. She stressed that academic excellence is crucial for long-term success in sports, particularly for those aspiring to reach elite levels.

Onyali noted that athletes must meet academic requirements, including a minimum grade point average, to secure scholarships abroad. She highlighted the MTN Champ initiative as a significant platform for identifying grassroots talent and providing opportunities for young athletes to compete at national levels.

Onyali also urged for greater collaboration between the government and the private sector to enhance sports development, emphasizing that the success of initiatives like MTN Champ requires collective investment. Babatunde Koiki, the Manager of Public Communication Partnership for MTN Champ, stated that the program aims to discover and develop Nigeria's next generation of elite athletes.