Relatively unknown before the commencement of the ongoing 2023 girl’s U-17 African Nations Volleyball Championship in Abuja, Mirabel Onyegwu, who looks destined for greatness, has been the revelation of the tournament, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Onyegwu, one of the biggest talents in the country whose performance on Monday caught the attention of the crowd at the indoor sports hall of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium (Package B), was named the Most Valuable Player after Nigeria defeated Cameroon to progress to the semi-finals of the championship.
While the meteoric rise of the youngster may have come as a big surprise to many people, the 15-year-old, in a chat with PUNCH Sports Extra, said she developed an interest in volleyball some nine years ago.
“I started playing volleyball when I was just six years old and I was in Primary 3 then,” she said.
“I developed a fondness for the game through my sister because when I was small I would follow her to training and I was fascinated with how they played it. Gradually, I started liking it and I decided to give it a trial, and that was how my interest in it grew.”
Just like the popular saying goes, ‘There is no I in a team’, Onyegwu credited her teammates for her MVP award.
She said, “I wanted to credit my teammates for winning the MVP award after our victory against Cameroon because without them I wouldn’t have won the award. I was very happy after being named the Most Valuable Player because I wasn’t expecting it.”
Combining education and sports hasn’t been the strongest suit of many Nigerian athletes but the student of Army Day Senior Secondary School, Maitama, Abuja, has everything working in her favour in attaining the heights she dreams of.
“The journey has been quite good because if I was told that I would be where I am today I probably would have argued it and at the moment I now see myself playing for the senior women national team,” she told PUNCH Sports Extra.
“It has been tough combining the game and academics but I take extra classes from a personal teacher to help me make up for the time that I am away from classes because I need to do well in my academics too.”
Unlike some young athletes, who had seen their parents go against their decision to venture into sports, the CNS Strikers rising star told PUNCH Sports Extra the role her mother played in actualising her dream, even when she considered quitting.
“My mum has been very supportive and she has been the one assisting and encouraging me. There was a time I considered quitting volleyball because it was not easy combining it with my studies but she was the one who gave me the extra motivation needed to continue.”
On her long-term plan, she said, “I see myself playing abroad while I also continue with my education.”
At just 15, Onyegwu said she had learned to stay focused amid criticisms from people.
She said, “There are times that people talk and try to demoralise me but I ignore those talks and be myself and stay focused.”
Sunday Akapson, head coach of the Nigeria U-17 girls at the ongoing 2023 girl’s U-17 African Nations Volleyball Championship in Abuja, in a chat with PUNCH Sports Extra lauds the exceptional qualities of the youngster.
“She has been outstanding because her level of commitment and her attitude to training is very impressive.
“She trains every day except Sundays, so it’s the output of the input that people are getting to see now, I am impressed because considering her age, she has been able to lead a team of 12 players with six of them on the court, considering the pressure from fans and the burden of wanting to win the tournament at home.”
Akapson added, “Some of the qualities that helped her stand out are her confidence, commitment and strong desire to win.”
The African Games silver medallist added that she was confident that the youngster would go places but pointed out that a lot of work must be done to achieve that.
“Mirabel is 15 years old; at that age, she is already making a name for herself. Wow, she will go places, we as coaches at this point of her life need to work with her parents to help build a very high level of discipline and good morals in her, without these qualities, players don’t last long in their careers.”
While Onyegwu is destined to soar high in her career, the youngster will hope to first guide Nigeria to the final of the 2023 girl’s U-17 African Nations Volleyball Championship when she and her team face Cameroon on Wednesday (today).
