Motunde Smith
Commonwealth and African women’s sprints champion, Blessing Oghenewreseme Okagbare, is officially married.
Blessing Okagbare was today joined in holy matrimony at the St. Patricks Catholic Church, 107, Yoruba Road with three-time capped Super Eagles and former Heartland FC of Owerri soccer player, Igho Jude Otegheri, in Sapele, Delta State of Nigeria.
As at the time of writing this report, the bride and groom are having their wedding reception at the Sapele Athletics Club. Their traditional wedding was held yesterday afternoon at No 5 Adidi Street, off Ikomi Road in Sapele.
Okagbare told Nigerian newspaper, The Guardian, after the traditional marriage ceremony on Friday that “tying the marital knot would not affect her plans for the Rio 2016 Olympics and other athletics events”.
“Getting married won’t in any way stop me from doing the usual things on the track,” said Okagbare. “I have been looking forward to this moment and by the Grace of God, we will celebrate it with everything.”
“But one thing I want to assure my fans and all Nigerians is that I will continue to work hard to put smiles on their faces as long as my body allows me to run and jump on the track.
“There are lots of work to be done and I have started training well ahead. I will return to the track soon after my wedding and I pray God to continue to guide me and my husband as we commence the journey of our married life,” she added.
The Nigerian track star described her husband as “nice and God fearing and those are some basic things I prayed for in a man”.
“He is kind and that is a great thing for me because he supports my life, my career and my aspirations,” Okagbare added.
