Former Green Eagles Midfielder , Paul Okoku has emphasised the need for the upcoming athletes in the country to combine education with sports, saying this will assist them to achieve their dreams and live a worthy life .
In an interview granted on Friday through the sports center Whatsapp platform, Okoku admitted that football is capable of creating opportunities for the players.
Okoku, who represented Nigeria at the FIFA World Youth Championship in Mexico in 1983 and won a silver medal at the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations, said his career was shaped by both football and education. According to him, many of the opportunities he enjoyed after retirement were made possible by his academic pursuits. He described education as a means to an end rather than an end in itself.
The former Green Eagles midfielder revealed that several football legends inspired him in combining academics with sports.
Okoku advised parents not to place all their hopes and investments solely on their children’s sporting abilities. He noted that while football can open doors, not every talented player will become a professional athlete. According to him, education provides an important safety net and creates opportunities beyond sports.
Reflecting on his journey, Okoku recalled progressing from the streets and school fields of Lagos to represent Nigeria on the global stage. He attributed his success to discipline, hard work, preparation, and the support of mentors and coaches.
The former international also encouraged young players to pursue their individual passions rather than fulfill the unachieved ambitions of others. He argued that parents and mentors should guide children without forcing them into careers they do not genuinely desire. According to him, true success comes when individuals discover and pursue their own purpose.
Okoku, who was recently honored as a FIFA Legend during a FIFA World Cup event in Georgia, said football taught him valuable lessons about leadership, teamwork, and resilience. He noted that these lessons continue to influence his work as a mentor and football analyst. He reiterated that character and lifelong learning remain essential ingredients for lasting success.
Okoku urged the upcoming athletes to dream big and be committed to personal growth, noting that talent alone is not enough to build a sustainable future. “Football was never my final destination; it was my transportation,” he said.
