Chioma Onyekwere: My heart breaks for my Favour Ofili

Reigning Commonwealth Games Discus thrower champion, Chioma Onyekwere is sympathizing with sprinter, Favour Ofili who has been denied the chance to compete in the 100m event at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Ofili was not registered by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, for the event and the 21 year old took to her social media pages to express her anger and disgust at what Nigeria’s Sports Minister, John Enoh described as ‘utter recklessness’.

‘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.

‘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 Nigeria athletes that qualified to not compete.

‘Now THIS……..If those responsible are NOT held accountable for taking this opportunity from me, neither organization can EVER be trusted in the future!,’ Ofili posted on her social media pages.

Onyekwere, who begins her campaign in the Discus throw on Friday also took to her social media page to identify with Ofili.

‘My heartbreaks for my teammate. After not getting a chance to compete in Tokyo and now missing the women’s 100m due to no fault of her own. This is so disheartening as an athlete,’ wrote Onyekwere.

Meanwhile, Sportsnow.com.ng has been told that a former President of the AFN, (names withheld) has been at the centre of the controversy.

Sources close to the team in Paris revealed that the former President prevailed on the federation to remove Ofili’s name because of the 4x100m relays.