By Kunle SHONUGA
Falilat Ogunkoya, a former Nigerian Olympic medallist has urged parents to allow and support young girls who choose to be athletes.
Ogunkoya made the appeal at the Abuja National Stadium on Friday.
Ogunkoya, Mary Onyali-Omagbemi among others are special guests of the organisers at the 19th edition of the National Sports Festival (NSF) currently taking place in Abuja.
Ogunkoya said the support of parents for their wards, especially girls who show interest in sports was very vital and would strengthen the determination of the girls to succeed in the sport they have chosen to engage in.
”I will like to plead with the parents because we need their support, especially in encouraging our young ones who show the desire in sports.
”I know they want their kids to go to school but with proper planning, they will excel in both at the end of the day,” she said.
She, however, urged the young girls who show interest in sports to be prayerful, humble, remain focused and work hard irrespective of the challenges they may face in the course of distinguishing themselves.
”When they work hard and are prayerful, nothing is impossible. I also want them to put their mind to whatever they choose to do.
”They also need to be grateful when they are injury-free and competing because its not easy.
”So, I want our young girls to be resilient and work hard to actualise their dreams,” she said.
