The Nigerian Sports Minister, Senator John Owan Enoh, has launched an investigation into the exclusion of sprinter Favour Ofili from the 100m Women’s event at the Paris 2024 Olympics. This decision follows Ofili’s announcement that she would not participate in the race due to administrative failures by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC).
Ofili expressed her frustration on Instagram, stating, “It is with great regret that I have just been told I will not be competing in the 100 meters at this Olympic Games. I qualified, but those with the AFN and NOC failed to enter me. I have worked for 4 years to earn this opportunity. For what?”
In response, Enoh has stressed that both the AFN and NOC must ensure that Ofili’s chance to compete is not unjustly denied. He assured that there would be appropriate sanctions once the investigation determines the source of the negligence. “All parties must take their duties very seriously. The Federal Ministry of Sports Development will not tolerate incompetence at any level,” Enoh emphasized.
Favour Ofili, AFN, and the NOC.
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… pic.twitter.com/GOQA2d7wE9
— Senator John Owan Enoh (@OwanEnoh) July 31, 2024
During a recent visit to Team Nigeria at the Paris Games Village, Enoh addressed athletes directly and encouraged open communication. This session included personal interactions where athletes could express their concerns, a tradition he upholds as Sports Minister.
Enoh recounted that he previously intervened when Ofili faced issues at the African Championships in Douala. This time, upon learning of Ofili’s distress, he contacted Professor Ken Anugweje, head of the Ministerial Podium Performance Committee, to address her concerns. Anugweje reported that he was coordinating with Chief Solomon Ogba, the 1st Vice President of NOC, to resolve the issue.
The Technical Director of AFN, Samuel Onikeku, confirmed that Ofili was registered for the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay. The AFN Secretary General also stated that Ofili was included in the final list submitted to the NOC. Enoh is awaiting an explanation from the NOC President.
Favour Ofili, a top performer with accolades including a Commonwealth Games silver medal, an African Games championship, and a former World U20 champion, deserves the opportunity to compete. Enoh has assured that the Ministry will not overlook this issue. Immediate actions will ensure that Ofili can participate in the events she is qualified for at the Paris Olympics, as she is determined to prove her capabilities.
Source: ChannelsTv
