BY RAYMOND NWADUBA
Legendary track queen, Mary Onyali has added her voice to speak on the growing phenomenon called defection or switch of allegiance by athletes which has been a talking point in athletics circles – insisting that it’s not new in the sport.
According to the five -time Olympian, four different nations approached her during her glorious career as an athlete for defection but she just couldn’t find it in her to dump Nigeria for any other country.
“Nobody can stop athletes from moving to other nations. We’re not the only country that has lost athletes. A lot of Kenyans, Ethiopians and even American athletes have been lost to other nations, she revealed.
“Defection is personal. It’s a matter of interest, feelings and conviction, she stated.
While speaking further during the MTN Making of Champions (MOC) Press briefing held recently in Lagos, Onyali opined that there are certain things that are dear to athletes as individuals which they prioritise.
“I was approached by four different nations so what’s happening today is not new, she said.
‘It’s a matter of would you want to dump your country for another? I couldn’t do it despite having many suitors scampering for me then. I just couldn’t find it in me to do it. Yes, the treatment could be better which is why the Podium Elite Board has been created by the National Sports Commission (NSC) to address all of the issues associated with athletes’ defection”, she assured.
The MTN MOC is in its fourth season which the telecoms giants has recently extended its sponsorship agreement with the organizers for another three years.
The initiative has been very instrumental in discovering the next generation of athletics stars for the country which the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) President, Tonobok Okowa alluded to.
