Olympic legend Mary Onyali, Nigeria's most decorated track athlete, has called for substantial government and private sector investment in school sports programs to nurture future champions and address the nation's declining international performance. The five-time Olympian emphasized that grassroots development through schools remains the foundation for elite success, warning that neglect has created a "big vacuum" in Nigerian athletics evident in recent global competitions.
Onyali highlighted her involvement with initiatives like the MTN Champs and the National Sports Commission's Elite Athletes Development Board, stressing talent identification, coach training, and funding grants as critical starting points from the school level. She advocated turning sports into a multi-million naira industry contributing 5% to GDP by 2027, positioning Nigeria competitively for events like the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
This push aligns with Onyali's legacy of inspiring generations, including Blessing Okagbare, amid calls for policies that sustain her record of medals across five Olympics from 1988 to 2004.