‘Nigeria can produce three Usain Bolts’ – Egbunike

What impact do you think Education can play in the live of Nigerian athletes? We knew education is the key. Each one of us went to the United States of America to school. We were not just athletes. We knew that one day, our career will be over. We are however grateful that we ran […]

What impact do you think Education can play in the live of Nigerian athletes?

We knew education is the key. Each one of us went to the United States of America to school. We were not just athletes. We knew that one day, our career will be over. We are however grateful that we ran for our country and we gave our best to our nation. We were student athletes. Believe it or not, at a competition, I slept on the floor, ran and won the 400 meters and the 4 by 4. I didn’t complain becaus I was there to give my best and represent the country. We have to understand that the most important thing is giving our best and the rest will be history. It is important to be educated and knowing our God given talents as well. Because each one of us work with our God given talent, it is easier to reach the top.

You have been residing in the USA since, what brought you back to the country?

I have been asked to come home to be part of the ongoing experience. I believe everything will come together and you will see a big difference. I have been blessed to work with athletes world over. They include Olympic gold medalists, silver medalists and bronze medalists from different countries. This will be an experience and I believe I have so much knowledge to offer. As things fall into place, I believe I will be able to work with powers that be and make a difference. I know that with all my experiences as a former athlete, an educator and a coach, I will make impact.

Do you believe any of our current crops of athletes has the potentials to reach the height you reached during your active days?

There is a problem with that. A father’s dream is that his children will surpass his feats. In this case, if you look back to 2000 Olympics, I coached a team that broke the African record in the 4 by 400 meters. If the opportunity presents itself, it will be my prayer to coach athletes that will set and break records. I coached a young man from the USA that now has the 9th fastest time in 400meters. When he came to me, he was in 44.6 400meter run and he ran that about three years before. But after I worked with him in about one year and a half, he went ahead to ran 44.05.

So, if I could coach somebody to become so big, I believe we have such talents here in Nigeria that could do better. It is just about going back to the nitty gritty and being able to develop.More so, we have to take education seriously. Our athletes must go back to school and get the education. Education is so important. It’s not just about running because one day, that would be over. I am a living testimony to that because if I didn’t have my education, I won’t be talking with you today. Knowledge is power. That is why I have the opportunity to have sat down with the Minister of Sports and the Director General of Sports Commission to look at the way forward. I pray to God that things work out well.

What is your opinion concerning Nigerian athletes and drugs abuse?

Knowledge is power. We must educate the athletes about hard work and training hard. We should also give them the right vitamins that can keep them healthy. If these are done, drug abuse will not be an issue. Nigeria is blessed with great athletes that never used drugs. We can go back to that. It’s just about having the knowledge. That’s critical.

What do you think the Sports Commission should do to get results at the oncoming Olympics in London?

We just have to empower the coaches and the athletes. We must also get the private sector involved. This is a nation with over 150 people. That is the highest human resources we could ever ask for. Jamaica is not even as much as this. If they can have a Usain Bolt in Jamaica, we can even get two or three of him here in Nigeria if we allow our self to dig in and find these athletes. You will remember, we have a young man, Chidi Imu who was the first African to run ten flight, Nkem Adenikan (99), Davidson Ezenwa (99) Ogunkoya (99).  If you look at our history, we have been there. We just have to continue. The president of Track and Field Federation seems to be doing a very good job in regards to where he wants the sport to go. But everybody have to come together to make it happen. Is it possible? Yes. Can we do it? Yes. It’s been done before and we can even do it better if we all come together.

Nigerian athletes made exploits at the last All Africa Games. Do you think they can replicate it at the 2012 Olympics?

Olympics is a top competition. I am a four time Olympian and the most I have won is a bronze medal. I was a finalist in three of them. Olympics take a lot of work. I believe for us to attain that level, we as a country, must key into the dream of the Minister of Sports and the DG. The private sector has to get involved. They have to help take care of the athletes. If we take care of them, I think they will perform at the level we expect them. We don’t have much time. So the earlier we start the better for the country. But again, I ask for prayers for the athletes.

It’s a top task to beat the best in the country and stand against the best in the world. It takes a lot of butterfly, hard work, tension, discipline and the list goes on. We need to understand that this is not about winning. It’s about preparation. A nation without a vision shall perish.

We need to be sure the vision is right and then, we gather the stones and move forward. At the end, we should be able to determine if we have accomplished something that is as good as the past or better.