Accra, March 22, 2014, Mary Onyali, Nigeria’s former African and Commonwealth sprinter and five times Olympian, says she is impressed with the performances of track and field athletes at the ongoing 13th African Games in Accra, Ghana.
Onyli, former African and Commonwealth champion in 100m and 200m and an Olympic medallist in sprint events, spoke in Accra during the athletics events at the Games.
She had won the bronze medal in the 4x100m relay at the 1992 Olympic Games and in the 200m at the 1996 Games. She also won the 1994 Commonwealth Games 100 metres title.
Onyali-Omagbemi performed especially well in the All Africa Games, winning a total of 7 individual medals in the short sprints.
She won 100m in 1991, 1995 and 2003 and took a bronze medal in 1987. Gold medals in 200m were taken in 1987, 1995 and 2003.
Furthermore, the Nigerian 4×100 m relay team won all races between 1987 and 2003, at the African Games.
“From an athlete’s perspective, they have been giving their best. This an Olympic year, so this being our first major African Championships, we see this as our African Olympics.
“The athletes are prepared. They have been dropping fast times here, personal best, national records and we are just looking for a World record from somebody,’’ she said.
Onyali commended Ghana for organising the Games, saying that in spite of initial challenges, the country had given Africa a very entertaining session.
On Team Nigeria, the former African sprint queen said her athletes have done well so far.
“In athletics, Nigeria is leading on the medals table and we hope to continue the medals haul until the final day. We usually don’t miss the top three medal table in athletics because athletics is the mainstay of team Nigeria,’’ she said.
Onyali said she was impressed with the successes recorded by home-based athletes in track and field events.
She said that from the look of things, some of them will become big stars in the future if they remain focused, determined and dedicated.
“I’m extremely happy with this Games. Majority of our athletes are home-based and home grown.
“This is a testament to the fact that our foreign-based athletes, who are in majority student athletes, if not released by their schools to attend events like this, we usually feel like we don’t have anybody and we start losing hope.
Onyali also said: “This year, the athletics federation of Nigeria has deemed it fit to believe and trust in our home-based athletes and coaches.
“ I am happy that we are beginning to see that there are really some good things coming out of our home-based athletes and I want this to continue, so that we don’t continue to rely on our foreign-based athletes to perform.
Onyali advised home-based athletes to use their first outing at the African Games as a benchmark and those who did not make the team, not to relent because the future is bright.
“I also give our kudos to our coaches for doing the impossible and everybody has taken notice,’’ she said.
