Minister of Sports Throws Weight Behind Ofili, as AFN Shifts Blame to NOC

Owan Enoh, Minister of Sports, Nigeria, has released a statement addressing the controversy surrounding Sprinter, Favour Ofili’s exclusion from the Women’s 100m event in the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympics.

Ofili had earlier expressed her anger at the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and Nigeria Olympics Comittee’s failure to enter her as one of the competitors in the women’s 100m event. 

The Minister revealed that during his visit to the Games Village on July 28, he had an open session with Team Nigeria athletes, including Ofili, who expressed concerns about her race following the events that occurred at the African Championships in Douala, of which she did not take part.

The Minister also revealed that Ofili had reached out directly to him, and he promptly contacted Ken Anugweje, lead of the Ministerial Podium Performance Committee, to address the issues and soon after, got word back from the first Vice President of the Nigeria Olympics Committee, Solomon Ogba, that the matter was been handled.

However, with Ofili’s dismay at her omission from the 100m event, the Minister contacted the Technical Director of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria, Samuel Onikeku, who confirmed her registration for the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay events.

” 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.”

The Minister stated that he had initiated an investigation into the negligence that led to Ofili’s potential exclusion from the event and promised thorough sanctions for those responsible.

He emphasized the need for accountability and competence within the sporting federations and insisted that the Federal Ministry of Sports Development would not give take for incompetence at any level.

He ended by saying that the AFN and NOC must fix this wrongdoing.

“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.”

The investigation is ongoing, and further updates will be provided.