I am in top shape for my 7th Olympic Games
Africa’s queen of table tennis, Funke Oshonaike who started competing for Nigeria since early 80s and has attended six Olympics beginning from the 1992 Barcelona Olympics told SHOT! that her body is encouraging her to go for a record 7th Olympic Games in
After six Olympic Games, you are still waxing stronger. What has made you stay long in this sport? Whoever is into a sport and left suddenly must have a reason. It could be due to an injury or maybe they are not enjoying what they are doing or some other reasons. Right now, I still enjoy what I am doing and my children and family are encouraging me. I have happiness and joy from it. Now, I have a new found love, taking care of the young ones. Maybe I will retire soon. But, right now, I’m still having fun with what I am doing. It is not giving me stress. As long as I have everything I need, then why stop it. A lot of people are telling me that age is telling on me but I believe age is nothing but numbers. Age is in the head and heart. Sometimes my body tells me that I am weak and tired but God is my strength. He is the one directing me. If he tells me it’s high time I stopped or there is a better me, then, no problem, I will stop
My new found love is Funke Oshonaike foundation. Anytime I come over to Nigeria, the young ones normally come to meet me for one thing or the other.
Sports in Nigeria now is different from when we started. Back then, every month, we go for one competition or the other. Now, it’s hard for them to have competition every three to four months. Instead of coming to the country and complain about how they are doing things here, I felt I can make an impact. I decided to bring my Hamburg to Nigeria by giving back to the young ones, the talent God has given me, so as to encourage them. A lot of them are frustrated and many have given up. Yet, a whole lot of them are talented.
The kids make me happy. I am 100 percent happy about it.
Do you have a targeted number of children you wish to train before the end of the year?
My foundation is for the talented junior players in Nigeria, so that they don’t get tired or give up. People are suggesting grass too, and I am giving it a thought.
Presently in table tennis, Egyptians have taken over. Back then, anytime we go for competitions, Nigeria would win 7 gold medals. We hardly have 5 because we used to win all the gold medals. Right now, it is very hard for us to get three to four gold medals. All I am targeting now is for the younger generation to get our glory back from Egypt. I have just finished the first phase of the clinic and I am thinking of the second phase by July or August. I can’t do it alone without sponsors. If I get enough funds and sponsorship, no problem. My dream is to get a better me in the next two years, somebody that will take over from Aruna Quadri. My dream is to ensure that my foundation produces another Aruna Quadri and Segun Toriola.
What impact would you say your coaching has made on the junior players during the one week clinic?
They have improved tremendously. Even Barrister Wahid Oshodi was so impressed at what we achieved for just one week. In just two days, it can do a lot in the life of the younger ones. The present generation are easily distracted due to the influence of the social media. They need someone to talk to them because they don’t concentrate and that is the same problem they have in education. The girls get distracted easily because they can fall in love and hormones too can cause distractions. A coach and trainer is not all they need. They also need a psychologist. I move close to them so they won’t have any cause to fear. They share lots of things with me too. I told them they have to be free at home. They don’t need to fear their parents, but that doesn’t mean they should not respect their parents. I told them to share their thoughts with their parents and anytime they need my help and they can always get in touch with me. That is the impact of the clinic. By the grace of God, anytime I am coming for the next clinic, the legend of the sport Segun Toriola will be with me and one other coach.
I have been in Nigeria before travelling out of the country. I have been in Europe for more
Would you say sports in Nigeria is moving in the right direction?
It is not only in sports but a lot of things are turned upside down in Nigeria. In Nigeria of today, our government hasn’t gotten many things right.
Sports in Nigeria is almost dead. Back then, whenever we are going for competition, we usually stayed for up to six months in camp. When I was in secondary school, I left my school in Lagos for kwara for a year. After we finished, I went back to School and continued with my studies. But, when they are in camp for only one month or six weeks, they can’t perform optimally. Complaining will not solve anything, so I have stopped complaining. If the government says they can’t do it alone, let the corporate bodies and private individuals also assist in their own little way. If the government can bring out 50 percent and the corporate bodies also donate 50 percent, it is going to work like that. Right now, we should stop depending 100 percent on the government.
In your view, what are the other challenges Nigerian athletes are facing?
They are not exposed. A lot of them don’t have the right equipment. When I came here, I was so shocked to see the rackets these young players are using. The least duration for some of our equipments can only be used for one and a half month or two months, but the ones they are using are second hand and have been used for more than six months. They have the talent but not the equipment. They need to participate in lots of competitions. They should get them exposed. If this can be done, Nigeria will excel in sports. Those in Europe are not better than us except that their government are supporting them.
The Government has to invest more on sports. Sports unites Nigeria and the world. If they can discover and encourage those at the grassroots, it will be good for the Nigerian sports. When our athletes go outside the country and return home without any medal, don’t blame them. Rather, ask yourself, what did you do to assist them, how did you invest in them.
It was all about football, but presently they are not even investing like before. Poor investment is affecting more sports than football. If the government can do 30 or 40 percent of what they give football, to other sports, then there will be more sports that will be well known more than football. There are many more talents in other sports than football. If government and other stakeholders can invest, Nigeria will be the talk of the world.
Do you see yourself going for your 7th Olympic Games?
Why not? I don’t know what is going to happen. But right now, I’m still good, fit and my body isn’t telling me to stop, then, I will still go.
What’s your assessment of table tennis in Nigeria?
It’s very hard. We have a lot of raw talents here. We need more training, more exposure and competition. If we can get all that, we get our glory back for Nigeria. We have more people like Aruna Quadri and we have those who can be better than Segun Toriola. But, we need to get it right. Tennis players are like raw diamonds. We need to bring them out and polish them so they can start shinning.
What role did your parents play in shaping your career?
They never stopped me. In fact, they supported me 100 percent and I am so proud of them. I grew up from a very humble background. I hawked a lot when we were living in Shomolu, Lagos. My mum took care of the home front while my dad runs around for me. Sometimes when we don’t have money, he used to borrow money to buy equipment all in a bid to ensure I continue with my tennis. I always tell the younger ones about my humble background and I told them that they should tell their parents if they support them in becoming successful, they will surely take care of their parents just like I did.
Whatever parents sow in a child’s life, when that child grows into an adult, they will surely remember their parents and take care of them.