By Rasheed Adewuyi, New York
Sarafadeen Olalekan Oyeleke, captain of Nigeria’s national amputee football team, has urged physically challenged athletes to prioritise education, vocational skills and long-term planning alongside their sporting careers, warning that life after active sports can become difficult without proper preparation.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Jersey Number 12 on Monday, Oyeleke advised athletes not to depend solely on football or sports for survival, stressing the importance of building sustainable careers and alternative sources of income while still active in competition.
“Sports will not last forever, so every athlete must prepare for the future,” Oyeleke said.
“Education is very important because it gives you something to fall back on after retirement. As athletes living with physical challenges, we must plan ahead, learn skills and build ourselves beyond football so we can remain independent and successful after our playing days.”
The silver medallist at the 2019 African Amputee Football Cup of Nations in Angola explained that proper retirement planning would help athletes avoid becoming dependent on relatives, friends or government support after leaving active sports.
“We have to think beyond football because there will always be life after sports,” he added.
“If athletes prepare themselves through education, business or vocational training, they will be able to take care of themselves and their families without becoming a burden to anyone.”
The former Istanbul Özürlüler Spor Kulübü Amputee FC player also revealed that he is giving back to society through his foundation, which focuses on creating educational and technological opportunities for physically challenged individuals while helping to discover and nurture more talents in amputee football.
“I want people living with physical challenges to believe that their condition should never stop them from achieving greatness,” Oyeleke said.
“Through my foundation, we are creating opportunities for education, technology awareness and sports development so that more hidden talents in amputee football can be discovered and supported.”
Oyeleke further disclosed plans to support the Nigeria Amputee Football board in developing a stronger domestic structure for the sport through the establishment of vibrant male and female amputee football leagues across the country.
According to him, the initiative would help accelerate the growth of amputee football in Nigeria while creating more opportunities for athletes to develop and compete at higher levels.
Leave feedback about this