Balancing academics and competitive sports is a challenge faced by many student-athletes across Nigerian universities. For George Mendez Amila, a student from the Department of Zoology at the University of Jos and former Student Union Government (SUG) Sports Director, the journey was filled with passion, sacrifice, and resilience.
In this Student-Athletes Corner interview, Amila shares his experiences navigating life as a student-athlete, the struggles of limited institutional support, and why stronger policies are needed to protect campus athletes.
Q: How would you describe your journey as a student-athlete?
Amila:
My journey as a student-athlete has been defined by passion and resilience. Balancing sports and academics is not easy, and there were many moments when the pressure felt overwhelming.
Being a student-athlete means constantly managing two demanding responsibilities. On one hand, you push your body to perform at its best on the field, and on the other hand, you must keep up academically.
One of the biggest challenges I faced was the lack of financial and material support. While some athletes can focus fully on training and competitions, I often had to worry about basic needs and resources required to keep going.
This experience built my mental toughness. When you don’t have a safety net, every hour becomes important. It wasn’t just about winning games; it was about surviving the semester and proving that my background wouldn’t limit my potential.
Despite the challenges, the journey has made me stronger, and I’m proud to call myself a student-athlete.
Read Also: FASU Games: UNIJOS Captain Amila Confident of Comeback After First Loss
Q: What inspired you to become a student-athlete?
Amila:
Sports have always been part of my life. Growing up in a rural community, engaging in sports was one of the best ways to stay active and avoid negative influences.
As a child, I participated in different activities including basketball, swimming, football, and even street dancing. Those experiences shaped my love for sports and helped build my discipline early in life.
My upbringing played a major role in motivating me to pursue sports while also focusing on education.
Q: What were the major challenges you faced as a student-athlete?
Amila:
One of the biggest challenges was financial support.
I experienced a major setback when I suffered a serious knee dislocation while representing my institution during the last All African Games. Despite being injured while on official duty for the school, I had to treat myself.
There was no financial assistance, no therapy, no psychological support, and no medical coverage. It was extremely discouraging, especially because I was serving as the school captain and “captain of captains” at the time.
That experience highlighted the urgent need for stronger welfare systems for student-athletes in Nigerian universities.
Q: As a former SUG Sports Director, what would you do differently to support student-athletes?
Amila:
If I had the opportunity again, I would focus more on creating structured support systems rather than just organizing competitions.
First, I would establish a student-athlete welfare fund to help athletes facing financial difficulties, especially for feeding and medical care.
Second, I would advocate for academic flexibility policies. Many student-athletes represent their schools in competitions but still face academic penalties for missing tests or lectures. Institutions should create policies that allow make-up tests or extended deadlines.
Lastly, I would pursue partnerships with local businesses to provide sports kits, equipment, and other resources for student-athletes in exchange for brand visibility.
These initiatives would significantly improve the welfare of campus athletes.
Q: Did you receive support from lecturers or university management?
Amila:
Yes, I received strong encouragement from some lecturers in my department.
My level coordinator, Mrs. Lucy Akpa, often encouraged me and even nicknamed me “Ronaldo.” My exams officer, Dr. Nannim, and Professor Yohanna, the current Head of Department of Zoology, were also very supportive both academically and spiritually.
However, institutional academic flexibility for student-athletes was still limited, so I had to manage most of the balancing on my own.
Q: What should the government focus on to improve support for student-athletes?
Amila:
The government should focus more on supporting the athletes themselves rather than only building stadiums.
First, there should be special scholarships and grants for student-athletes, especially those from low-income backgrounds.
Second, student-athletes should be covered under national medical insurance for sports injuries.
Finally, the government must invest in modern sports infrastructure in schools so athletes can train in safe and professional environments.
Student-athletes represent their schools and communities with pride, so their welfare deserves greater attention.