Mary Onyali Urges Increased Investment in School Sports at Prudential Sports Awards in Gombe

Posted : 01 December 2025

Mary Onyali, former Nigerian sprinter and veteran Olympian, has called for increased investment in school sports to nurture young athletes.

She made this appeal during the 2nd Edition of the Prudential Sports Awards in Gombe.

The theme of the event was: “Celebrating Nigeria Sporting Legends: Honouring their Legacy, Inspiring the Next Generation of Champions.”

Onyali emphasized that school sports remain the best avenue for recruiting young athletes to represent Nigeria internationally, recounting how her own career began in school competitions. She decried the neglect of school sports in recent times and stressed the need for significant investment in school sporting infrastructure to harness young talent.

The 1996 Olympic 200m bronze medallist urged government at all levels, as well as stakeholders, to focus on discovering athletes through schools.

“That’s the best avenue for discovering athletes. I was discovered from school and participated in sports festivals before earning a student-athlete scholarship in the USA. This is the only way to get us moving. That’s why we are emphasizing the need to build facilities and infrastructure for children to play,” she said.

Onyali added, “If we can build mini stadia for football and athletics in every local government area of the country, I believe we will discover two million Mary Onyalis before this era is over.”

Supporting her views, Al-Hassan Yakmut, former Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), called for improved budgetary allocations for school sports. He noted that with proper investment, Nigeria’s future in sports would be brighter and better, highlighting that there are more talents now than in the past.

Sani Haruna, Chairman of Gombe Local Government Council, reaffirmed his commitment to grassroots sports development. Plans are underway to organize competitions involving all schools in the area, with winners competing against champions from 10 other councils to determine the overall victor. Haruna emphasized that sports development promotes peaceful coexistence while discouraging youth involvement in crime.

Faruk Yarma, President of Prudential Sports Limited, said his passion for sports development stems from the need to empower young talents while supporting retired athletes. He urged stakeholders to support grassroots talent development to harness Nigeria’s potential for social and economic growth.

Highlights of the event included the presentation of cheques for enrolling 1,000 retired athletes and their families into a health insurance scheme, distribution of sports equipment to 10 schools, and cash support to students and veteran athletes.

Mary Onyali Urges Increased Investment in School Sports at Prudential Sports Awards in Gombe

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