Olufunke Oshonaike is a Nigerian table tennis player. She competed for Nigeria at the 2012 Summer Olympics. Oshonaike started her playing career on a street called Akeju Street in Shomolu, Lagos, in the early 1980s while very young.
In a lenghty Facebook post, the strong mom revealed she is not giving up on representing Nigeria at the Japan 2020 Olympics despite all the challenges she went through as a teenager.
In her post, the veteran of six Olympics despite being not honoured by Nigeria, narrated how she was physically, sexually, emotionally and mentally abused by a man 10 years older than her and how her other travails never doused her love for Table Tennis.
Read her encouraging full post:
”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, 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 trough 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 Nos 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 4years 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 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 10years relationship and I saw him sleeping in a bed with his girlfriend! I was heartbroken! The next day I had to traveled 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 10years older than me. This man beat me ooo for more than 3 years and I remembered always going to Unilag with a battered face but I still never gave up on T, 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 2years, 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..”
She is truly a Super woman. May you continue to enjoy the fruits of your labour!
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????.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;
Wow. This is one strong woman. God bless her hustle.