Former UNIJOS sports director shares his struggles with injuries

Balancing academics and competitive sports is a challenge many student-athletes face in Nigerian universities. For Jorge Mendez Amilastudent of the Department of Zoology at Jose University and former sports director of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), the journey was full of passion, sacrifice and resilience.

on this Interview in the Student-Athlete CornerAmila shares her experiences about life as a student-athlete, the struggles of limited institutional support, and why stronger policies are needed to protect college 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 times when the pressure felt overwhelming.

Being a student-athlete means constantly managing two demanding responsibilities. On the one hand, you demand that your body perform at its best on the field and, on the other, you must maintain academic pace.

One of the biggest challenges I faced was the lack of financial and material support. While some athletes are able to focus completely on training and competitions, I often had to worry about the basic needs and resources needed to keep going.

This experience developed my mental strength. 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 experience would not limit my potential.

Despite the challenges, the journey has made me stronger and I am proud to call myself a student-athlete.

Also read: FASU Games: UNIJOS captain Amila is confident of returning after first defeat

Q: What inspired you to become a student-athlete?

Amila:
Sports have always been part of my life. Growing up in a rural community, playing sports was one of the best ways to stay active and avoid negative influences.

When I was a child I participated in different activities such as basketball, swimming, soccer and even street dancing. Those experiences shaped my love of sports and helped me develop my discipline from an early age.

My education played a big role in motivating me to play sports while also focusing on education.

Q: What were the biggest 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 African Games. Even though I was injured while carrying out official duties at 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 as I was working as a 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 athletic director, what would you do differently to support student-athletes?

Amila:

If given the opportunity again, I would focus more on creating structured support systems than simply organizing competitions.

First, I would establish a student-athlete welfare fund to help athletes facing financial hardships, especially for food and health care.

Second, I would advocate for academic flexibility policies. Many student-athletes represent their schools in competitions, but still face academic sanctions for missing exams or conferences. Institutions should create policies that allow for make-up exams or extended deadlines.

Lastly, I would seek partnerships with local businesses to provide sports kits, equipment, and other resources to student-athletes in exchange for brand visibility.

These initiatives would significantly improve the well-being of campus athletes.

Q: Did you receive support from professors or the university administration?

Amila:
Yes, I received great encouragement from some professors in my department.

My level coordinator, Mrs. Lucy Akpa, often encouraged me and even nicknamed me “Ronaldo”. My examination officer, Dr. Nannim, and Professor Yohanna, the current head of the Department of Zoology, also provided me with great support both academically and spiritually.

However, institutional academic flexibility for student-athletes was still limited, so I had to manage most of the balance 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 just 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 by national health insurance for sports injuries.

Finally, the government must invest in modern sports infrastructure in schools so that athletes can train in safe and professional environments.

Student-athletes represent their schools and communities with pride, so their well-being deserves greater attention.