Nigeria's 400m queen, Patience Okon George, has revealed that choosing athletics over football remains the greatest decision she has ever made, despite initially dreaming of a care
The report indicates that nigeria’s 400m queen, Patience Okon George, has indicated that choosing athletics over football remains the greatest decision she has ever made, despite initially dreaming of a career on the football pitch.
It further notes that in an interview on the sidelines of the AFN Commonwealth Games Trials, the 34 year old multiple-time African champion reflected on the difficult choices that shaped her remarkable career.
Fresh from winning the women’s 400m title at the trials, Okon George stated that football, not athletics, was her first love.
“At first, running on the track was not my goal because I was playing football while also doing athletics,” she said.
The Olympian explained that her passion for football became so strong that her then coach, Coach Ogunike, gave her an ultimatum to choose between the two sports.
“It got to a point when I was living with Coach Ogunike while I was in secondary school. One day, I was at the football field when he called me and asked, ‘Patience, which event do you want to choose?’ I told him I loved football and wanted to choose it.
“He then stated if football was my choice, I should return to my family. So I packed my things and went home because football was my main goal then. I also noticed that whenever I trained on the track, it drained my strength immensely.”
“One day, he came to my school and told me to return to athletics. He even apologised, but I refused. He later spoke to my father, who convinced me to give athletics another chance.”
Looking back, Okon George believes returning to athletics transformed her life.
“Yes, I was a good footballer, but with the help of Coach Ogunike, I excelled in athletics. The day I received my first national call-up, he was so happy.”
Reflecting on her achievements, the veteran quarter-miler believes she made the right choice by leaving football behind.
“I know I have achieved a lot in track and field. I doubt I would have reached this level if I had continued playing football. There is hardly any major track and field competition I haven’t competed in. I am truly grateful to God Almighty for everything.”
Okon George has built one of the most decorated careers in Nigerian athletics, distinguished by her consistency in both the individual 400m and relay events.
Her international breakthrough came at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where she won silver medals in the women’s 4x100m and 4x400m relays.
