Following the exclusion of Favour Ofili from the 100m race, the Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Enoh, has mandated the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) to ensure that Favour Ofili is not deprived of the opportunity to compete in the races for which she is qualified.
In a statement on Wednesday by Enoh, he described the omission of Ofili as administrative recklessness, adding that “thorough sanctions and investigation” would be carried out to arrest the situation.
He said: “On July 28, 2024, as Minister of Sports Development, I visited and addressed Team Nigeria athletes at the Games Village in Paris. It was a no-holds-barred session.
“Thereafter, I had my usual personal interaction with the athletes to allow them to express their concerns directly to me, which has been my tradition as Minister of Sports. In addition, I have continued to encourage athletes to reach out to me directly on any concerns.
“In hindsight, when Ofili had issues at the African Championships in Douala, I reached out to get her side of the story, and this time, it hasn’t been different.
“Favour Ofili reached me directly, expressing her concern for her races. Immediately, I called Professor Ken Anugweje, the lead of the Ministerial Podium Performance Committee, to ensure that Ofili’s issues are thoroughly addressed.
“He got back to me shortly after to say he was in touch with the 1st Vice President of NOC, Chief Solomon Ogba, and that the matter was being handled.”
He added: “Upon hearing Ofili’s distress this morning, I reached out to the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN). The Technical Director, Samuel Onikeku, stated categorically that Favour Ofili was registered for the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay.
“The Secretary General of AFN has also insisted that the final list forwarded by her to NOC (the only body the International Olympic Committee receives the final list of athletes from) had Ofili listed for the 100m as well. I am in touch with the President of the NOC on this and await his explanation.”
Enoh noted that Ofili has been in the top eight at the World Championships. She is a Commonwealth Games silver medalist, an African Games champion, a former World U20 champion, and an African Senior Athletics Championships champion in the 200m.
“As Minister of Sports, I will not tolerate this utter recklessness. It is highly inexcusable, and there will be thorough sanctions after investigations into where and from whom this gross negligence originated.
“All parties must take their duties very seriously. The current way of operating the Federal Ministry of Sports Development does not allow for incompetence at any level.
“As an immediate measure, the Athletic Federation of Nigeria and the Nigeria Olympic Committee must ensure that Favour Ofili is not deprived of the opportunity to compete in the races for which she is qualified and registered to represent the country at the Paris Olympics. She is committed to proving her mettle,” Persecondnews quotes Enoh as saying.
Persecondnews recalls that Nigerian sprinter, Favour Ofili, expressed her frustration on Tuesday, revealing that she will not compete in the 100-metre race at the ongoing Olympics in Paris due to administrative failures by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria and the Nigerian Olympic Committee.
She called for accountability from those responsible and voiced her skepticism about the trustworthiness of both organizations.
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