FUNKE OSHONAIKE-IRABOR: My husband, my biggest fan

 

 

Veteran table tennis star, Funke Oshonaike-Irabor may have suffered a shocking exit from the ongoing London Olympic Games, but the mother of two has revealed that her husband’s love and support gave her the confidence and determination to attend yet another Olympics.

The African queen, who has six Africa games gold medals in her kitty, disclosed that her husband of seven years convinced her to continue in the ping pong game after putting to bed a second time.     

The London games was not really palatable for Funke, as she was knocked out on Day One of the games by Wenling Tan of Italy after winning beating Neda Shahsavari 4-3 in the preliminary.

Hear her; “My husband is my greatest fan and he is always encouraging me. In the run to the Olympic Games in London, he encouraged me to return to training after l put to bed our second baby. He loves me so much and because he understands my love for table tennis, he wants me to continue to play the game. I might probably hang my racquet (bat) after the Olympics but it also depends on my husband because he really loves me playing the game”.   

Oshonaike-Irabor, who lives in Hamburg, Germany with her husband and two children, happily recalled how she fell in love with her husband at first sight. “You won’t believe it but my husband gets me so easy. You know what; l likes men that are down to earth. You don’t have to pose to win a ladies heart. I remember the first time we met, he was speaking pidgin. I was in my sister’s shop in Germany and he just came inside and went to my sister and said to her: I like your sister now, wetin dey happen dis girl don win my heart and that was it because l just looked at him and smiled. After three months, I was pregnant for him. Thank God we are still very much together in love because we are getting to love ourselves more each passing day.” 

Through her husband’s support and love, the youthful looking player, who won four gold medals at the 2003 All Africa games in Abuja, Nigeria, noted that she has been able to know the true meaning of love.

“He (my husband) is the reason why I am waxing stronger in the game because he did not ask me to replace my love for table tennis for him. He taught me how to multiply my love for table tennis and my family. I think my husband met me playing the game and l think the most important thing is love. He loves me so much and knows that l love table tennis so much. He has never for once; since we got married, attempt to stop me from playing the game. He appreciates what l do and would always be by my side when l am playing to give his support. I have a very good family and l am very proud of my Family. Believe it or not, l don't want to be in any other family than this and l thank God for that. I have a loving husband that can die for me and two wonderful boys that make me happy each passing day. I am happy and very satisfy,” added Funke.

How is life in Hamburg?

Life is Hamburg is good. I have my children there and we doing fine to God’s glory.

What is the most memorable tournament you have been to?

The most memorable one surely is the Africa games in Abuja where I won four gold medals for Nigeria. That was really great. Then the most disappointing one is the Africa games in Algeria in 2007. Then, l just gave birth to my second child and l had a disappointing outing in spite of the fact that l managed to win two gold medals. We were all together in the Games Village and it was not so conducive. I had to wake up at night to take care of him so every time l go to the hall I’m always very tired so like l said, l wanted more but that two medals was okay. So the baby was like a distraction.

What did the future holds for the game in Nigeria?

For the women, l think there are lots of up and coming players but the only thing they are lacking is exposure. They are a bit inexperienced such that they are doing it their own way. They need coaches that will guide them because the way they are playing here is not the same way they are playing abroad. There’s scientific approach to the game. We equally need better facilities. The tables we are using here is a bit slow to the ones that are used in international competitions. Our girls are coming up but they still have more to learn. Government must equally support the game. We used to get as much as seven gold medals but other countries particularly the North Africans are closing on us.