Nigeria’s Sports Minister, John Owan Enoh, has expressed deep dissatisfaction following the recent revelation that Nigerian athlete Favour Ofili was not registered for the women’s 100m event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. In a tweet on X (formerly Twitter), Enoh emphasised his commitment to resolving the issue and ensuring accountability within the sports administration.
Enoh made it known that when he heard of Ofili’s distress, he reached out to the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN). He said, “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.”
Enoh made it clear that as Minister of Sports, he will not tolerate “this utter recklessness.”
He stated, “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.”
In an immediate response, Enoh mandated that the Athletic Federation of Nigeria and the Nigeria Olympic Committee ensure Ofili is not deprived of her opportunity to compete in the events for which she is qualified and registered to represent the country at the Paris Olympics. “She is committed to proving her mettle,” he affirmed.
In the tweet, the minister also noted that he has always maintained an open line of communication with Team Nigeria athletes, adding that he had visited them on July 29, 2024 in Paris, and that he had been of help to Ofili in the past when she reached out to him about her concerns regarding her races.
“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.”
He underscored Ofili’s impressive track record, noting her achievements as a top-eight finisher at the World Championships, a Commonwealth Games silver medalist, an African Games champion, a former World U20 champion, and an African Senior Athletics Championships champion in the 200m.
Favour Ofili had earlier posted on the social media platform X, that she won’t be competing in the 100m at the 2024 Olympics because of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria failure to enter her name despite qualifying.
The statement read “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?”
Ofili expressed her frustration over missing the last Olympic Games due to the AFN, NADC, and NOC’s failure to release funds for athlete testing, resulting in 14 qualified Nigerian athletes being unable to compete. She now faces a similar situation and insists, “If those responsible are NOT held accountable for taking this opportunity from me, neither organisation can EVER be trusted in the future!”
However, She still hopes to compete in the 200m, if her name is registered.
Melissa Enoch
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