'/%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Young Nigerians continue to explore unconventional career paths and thrive in them, like Enoch Adegoke, one of Nigeria’s star athletes, who I spoke with for this article. Although he studied Geography at Obafemi Awolowo University, he rose to the spotlight when he represented Nigeria at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and made it to the finals, breaking the 25-year record of Nigerian men athletes not making it to the 100m final at the event. Although an injury had obstructed his chances at completing or winning at the finals , he continues to aim for more records to break.
This injury, he mentioned and is one of the major challenges athletes face in their careers. Furthermore, he took me through what it means to be an athlete, especially from Nigeria.
You studied Geography in school, was there any point where you planned to drop it and face sport squarely?
I never had the intention of crossing from my department. I just wanted to finish my degree in Geography and continue my career. I was in it already, I couldn’t move out again. It was really difficult though, combining classes with training, but thank God for strength.
I’ve been a lover of sports all through my childhood days. During my primary and secondary days, I was involved in school sports, and I told myself I would continue sports when I got to university. Thankfully, OAU has the facilities that afforded me the opportunity to take sports professionally. I started with a time trial with the school athletics team, and that was how the journey began.
Nice. Was it just about sports or were you particularly interested in the tracks?
Well, I play football and I love it. I used to play for my school and my department in uni, but I knew I had a soft spot for athletics and I went for it.
How supportive were the people around you of your decision?
My parents knew of my athletic abilities right from time, and they didn’t have any issue with that as long as I was still serious about my academics. I had made my decision and wasn’t going back on it. In spite of what anybody said, there were no issues as long as my parents were in support.
What’s a typical day like for you?
My day starts with my devotion at 5 in the morning, then I start to prepare for training. Training starts around 7:30, and depending on the workout for that day, we train till around 10 or 11, and I get back home to rest. Asides from training and some other important event, I’m always indoors. I have church activities on Wednesdays and Sundays, and sometimes Fridays and Saturdays. That is what takes me out of the house asides training. I train almost every day, Monday to Saturday, taking one day off for rest.
What has really helped you in your career journey so far?
Ultimately, I’d ascribe it all to God’s grace, irrespective of my talents and skills. Then, there is also my coach, pastor, parents, girlfriend, and people I have around me. I would also commend myself for putting in the work, not forgetting the resources we have to invest in.
How does the money come though?
For a common Nigerian athlete that doesn’t have a sponsor, the major way we make money is making the national team for international competitions. You have to make spend the money wisely and harness it to prepare for the next session. As time goes by, if you keep the fitness and keep making the team and you are known, hopefully, there will be a philanthropist out there to sponsor or give monthly stipends. Basically, for a common Nigerian athlete, the money comes from competition allowances in the national team. But to make enough money, you should pray to have sponsorships from a shoe or sports brand or a company in Nigeria to make you an ambassador.
Before you can get an ambassadorship, there’d be a track record of top performances, or you are probably representing a state or paramilitary. There is also a training grant from the ministry of youth and sports, but that only comes when you make the national team.
How do you get sponsorships?
Sponsorships come through performance in athletics, basically. You can also brand yourself enough to attract sponsors, but consistent performance records get you sponsorships.
What are the major challenges of being an athlete?
One of the major challenges we encounter is getting funding and resources for training and competitions. Secondly, sport is a physical activity and there are several injuries. This, in fact, is one major challenge we face, and these injuries do not just have physical effects. Sometimes, it’s psychological, and that is why you would find some athletes taking a lot of time to get back in shape after an injury. If your performance drops, there is a tendency to lose sponsorships and funding. Consequently, making the national team is also quite impossible. You just have to get yourself back in a good shape to keep up in the game.
Hmm. So, unlike those of us on this side of hustle, there are no administrative issues?
There are also administrative challenges. It happens in almost every sector and sport is not left out. Administration can be discouraging sometimes. For instance, I’ve been a victim of favoritism on some occasions, where I was replaced by someone else in a team even when I deserved the spot. But injuries are a big thing. This year alone, I have been injured several times and it hindered my performance. The prayer is just not to get injured for a long time because they will surely come.
What do you enjoy about it?
On the high side, sports put you out there, giving you this “celebrity status”. I like how sports give the opportunity to travel to different places in the world, and also sit in places where you would not ordinarily be. Plus, being a sportsman guarantees good health to a large extent. It’s difficult to find an athlete falling sick because you are always working to keep your body in a good state.
For you, what has been the major highlight so far?
My highest achievement so far was representing Nigeria at the Olympics, and getting to the finals. It was a big deal for me and for Nigeria as a whole because it had been a long time since Nigeria got to the finals at the Olympics. For any sportsman, the Olympics is the apex, and getting there was a big feat for me
I want to pivot to sports (yawns). Any heads up?
Brace up! It’s not a bed of roses.
Okay…
It’s not to scare anyone, but you have to put in the work. Starting out, you have to be very prayerful and have people around you that you can trust. Athletics can take away from you and be ready for me. It’s a jealous sport and it may be difficult to combine it with something else.
Are you the unconventional Gen Z who is looking to do something outside the tech and corporate world? You're valid! And there are tons of career paths to explore and choose from.
You should also Read: A Millenial Aiming Global as an Event Compere