Nigeria’s Sprint queen and track/field legend Chief Mary Onyali has commended Team Anambra for their performance at the just concluded 19th National Sports Festival describing it as the best outing so far for the state in the history of the festival in the country.
Chief Onyali, Member of the order of the Federal Republic (MFR,OLY) made these reactions in an interview on Sunday with sports correspondent Iyke Nwokedi at the main bowl of the Abuja National Stadium.
Chief Onyali stated that the Team Anambra contingent for this year’s festival was the most organized attributing the success story to adequate preparations, planning and the government’s positive attitude in giving sports a pride of place in the state. She eulogized Tony Oli, Chairman Anambra State Sports Development Commission, as an indefatigable figure with great ideas and vision for which could be seen by the sports programmes in place notably the WALK FOR LIFE and the launching of the football season.
Chief Onyali said: “KUDOS to Team Anambra for a fantastic national sports festival competition. We placed 16th on the overall medal table. Congratulations to our dogged athletes; whether you won a medal or not. Kudos also to our Chairman Sports Development Commission, Chief Tony Oli, his entire staff and of course our Always working Governor His Excellency Chief Willie Obiano. This is our best performance ever. It can only get better,” She said.
The 5 time Olympian, 2 times Olympic Bronze Medalist and 1994 Commonwealth gold medalist also called on the state government to as a matter of necessity put in place well planned structures, that includes durable facilities and equipment that will enhance the state’s visibility in sports such as Indoors Sports Complex and a Stadium as it will serve as a springboard for harnessing of the potentials in Anambra youths who have cravings for sports and wants to make a career in sports.
Chief Onyali was the first Nigerian athlete to compete in 5 consecutive Olympic Games, from 1988 to 2004. She earned the status of Nigeria’s most decorated athlete on track and field winning the 100metres race (1991, 1995 and 2003) at the All African Games as well as 200 metres (1987, 1995, 2003).
Chief Onyali was as the Special Adviser (Technical) to the Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye the former Director General of the National Sports Commission in Nigeria and she is a part of the consultation committee for the proposed Sports University in the country to be situated at Idumuje-Ugboko.
