My name is
olufunke oshonaike(God gave me to my parents to take care of) . I’ve really
been loved and well taken care of by my parents. After getting a lot of
discouraging messages from lot of people, though not new to me , I’ve decided
to let you know a little about this super woman.
I started representing Nigeria at the age of 14.
I give God almighty the glory for this talent and all that I’ve achieved today.
This are some of the downs in my life that made me a strong woman;
*When I was in primary 6, I ran out of school to
play a competition at Rowe Park and I was seriously caned by my teacher but I
never gave up on Table tennis
*I was always booed every time I played a
competition back then in Nigeria because I was very shy! I asked why and I was
told that I was proud, arrogant, and blunt and I don’t mix with people. I’m
talking about Funke at the age of 13 till 19. I cried a lot, went through a
lot, and there was even a time the crowd was going to stab me in Lagós because
I defeated there darling Biola Odumosu my arch rival back then at Rowe park. My
No 1 fan, my dad consoled me and still never gave up on table tennis in
Nigeria. My decision
* left Nigeria after my diploma course at
university of Lagos to pursue my professional career, that was my decision even
when I was advised not to go.
*left Italy after 4yrs to Germany in 1998
because I wanted more, that was my decision.
*I got pregnant during my career and I was
confused on what to do, but I kept it and I was still playing professional tt
till I was 7 months pregnant which is like a taboo in Nigeria! I even played
African championship and won it , though nobody knew I was pregnant !That was
my decision .
*I gave birth to my first child 2003 and I
played all Africa games the same year and won 4 gold medals for Nigeria. My
child was barely 6 months old. That was my decision
* I went to see my boyfriend of 10yrs
relationship and I saw him sleeping in a bed with her girlfriend! I was heartbroken!
The next day I had to travel to Australia, Sydney 2000. I cried all the way
from Nigeria to Australia but I never gave up on men and my training. That was
my decision
* I was physically, sexually, emotionally and
mentally abused by a man that was 10yrs older than me. This man beat me ooo for
more than 3 yrs and I remembered always going to Unilag with a battered face
but I still never gave up on TT, men or living. That was my decision
I was duped of all my properties and my bank
account was in his name (olodo funke). I left everything without looking back
and I started my life all over again. It was very hard for me, but that was my
decision
I fell in love again with my best friend here in
Germany, 3 months to our wedding, he went to Nigeria on holiday and he was shot
by armed robbers! I went through hell here in Germany without him. I mourned
him for 2yrs, stopped going to Nigeria because of him but still never gave up
on TT and living. That was my decision.
*I’ve been spending my money to represent Nigeria
lately and I can’t remember the last time I’ve been payed any allowance or the
last time I was awarded for winning for my country. I’m very hurt about a lot
of things that’s happening in sports in Nigeria but because of the love I have
for my country, I’m still trying my best to keep on keeping on. That’s my decision.
I was born in the 70s and I know one thing for
sure that people born in 70s don’t give up on things easily. We learned ‘ise ni
OGUN ise Mura si ise ore mi…….’. . So to some of you discouraging me, you’re
just encouraging me indirectly because I’ve gone through a lot in my life that
has made me stronger than you. Live your life and allow others do the same. I
ain’t giving up on my dreams because of some no life, no dream people. TOKYO
2020, HERE I COME
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