Dare appoints Mary Onyali, ex-sprinter, as special adviser

Sunday Dare, minister of youth and sports development, has appointed Mary Onyali, former Nigerian sprinter as special adviser on sports. 

Onyali’s appointment was announced on Tuesday during a meeting between the minister and the National Olympic Committee (NOC) executive committee.

Prior to her appointment, she was special adviser, technical to Gbenga Elegbeleye, former director general of the National Sports Commission (NSC).

The 51-year-old won the bronze medal in the 4 × 100 meters relay at the 1992 Olympic Games and in the 200 meters at the 1996 Olympic Games.

Onyali also won the 1994 Commonwealth Games 100 meters title.

She had an exceptional performance at the All Africa Games, winning a total of 7 individual medals in the short sprints.

She also won 100m in 1990, 1991, 1995 and 2003. She took bronze medal in 1987.

Onyali won gold medals in 200m in 1987, 1995 and 2003 respectively.

She was part of the quartet for the Nigerian 4 × 100 m relay team who won all races between 1987 and 2003, at the African Games.

Her consecutive Olympic appearances from 1988 to 2004 made her the first Nigerian to compete at five Olympics.