Sports Minister: ‘AFN and NOC must ensure Ofili competes in the races for which she is qualified’
Sports Minister, John Enoh has told the Athletic Federation of Nigeria, AFN, and the Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC, 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.
Enoh handed down this order following the non-registration of sprinter, Favour Ofili for the 100m event at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The 21 year old cried out early Wednesday morning via her social media messages of the incompetence of both the AFN and the NOC who should both be responsible for her non-registration in the 100m event in which she has qualified to compete in by meeting both the standard set by World Athletics and the AFN selection criteria.
The Sports Minister says he will not tolerate what he calls ‘utter recklessness and promised those culpable will be sanctioned.]]
‘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,’ the minister said in a statement released by his media aides.
Enoh also explained the steps he has taken to remedy the situation and how he has built relationships with the athletes towards ensuring they deliver podium performances at international events.
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.
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.
Ofili has been in the top eight at the World Championships (4x100m). She is a Commonwealth Games silver medalist, an African Games champion silver medalist and a former World U20 champion (4x100m).
