Julius Okorie
Sports Minister Senator John Enoh, has warned the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) to ensure that Nigeria’s Favour Ofili competes in the 100m and 200m meter events of the ongoing Olympics in Paris or risk sanctions.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelSenator Enoh’s warning is coming on the heels of the alarm raised by the athlete that she has been denied opportunity to showcase her skill in Paris by the powers that be. In a series of long tweet on her X Ofili painted a picture of a deliberate attempt by both the AFN and NOC to make her four years of hard working leading to the Olympics to end up in the dustbin.
The Sports Minister who equally released his own series of intervention before and during the ongoing Olympics warned that he will not stand and watch ineptitude ruin the chances of any athlete to showcase his or her skills in the course of competing for the nation.
“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” he warned.
Ofili had opened her can of worry on Tuesday via her X saying “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?
“Please remember, in the last Olympic Games I was not able to compete because AFN, NADC and NOC failed to release funds for athletes to be tested, which made 14 Nigerian athletes that qualified to not compete. Now this!” She wrote in a series of tweets.
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In a statement, on Wednesday, the Sports Minister described as utter recklessness, AFN and NOC’s statement that Favour Ofili cannot take part in the 100-meter race at Paris Olympic Games.
Senator Enoh 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 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.
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“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 the 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.
It is to be noted that Ofili has been in the top eight of the world Championships. A Commonwealth Games Silver medalist and African Games Champion as well as African Senior Athletics Championship 200m Champion.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
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