The Minister of Sports Development in Nigeria, Senator John Owan Enoh, has announced an investigation into the exclusion of Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili from the 100m Women’s event at the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
On Tuesday, Ofili revealed via Instagram that she would not be competing in the 100-meter race due to administrative failures by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC). “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?” she wrote.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Minister Enoh stressed the importance of accountability within the sports administration. “The Athletic Federation of Nigeria and the Nigeria Olympic Committee must ensure that 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.”
Minister Enoh, who visited Team Nigeria athletes at the Games Village in Paris on July 28, highlighted his ongoing commitment to addressing athletes’ concerns directly. “When Ofili had issues at the African Championships in Douala, I reached out to get her side of the story. This time, it hasn’t been different,” he said.
The minister confirmed that he had immediately contacted the AFN and the NOC upon learning of Ofili’s exclusion. “The Technical Director, Samuel Onikeku, stated categorically that Favour Ofili was registered for the 100m, 200m, and the 4x100m relay,” he noted. “The Secretary General of AFN has also insisted that the final list forwarded by her to NOC had Ofili listed for the 100m as well. I am in touch with the President of the NOC on this and await his explanation.”
Minister Enoh vowed to impose appropriate sanctions following the investigation. “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 declared.
Favour Ofili, a Commonwealth Games silver medalist and an African Senior Athletics Championships champion, remains committed to showcasing her talent on the global stage. “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,” the minister emphasized.
