Nigeria’s Sports Minister John Enoh has waded into controversy surrounding the exclusion of Favour Ofili from the women’s 100 metres at the Paris Olympic games.
In an outburst on her X handle on Tuesday, Ofili expressed disappointment that her name was not included in the 100m event.
She pointed accusing fingers at the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) for the omission.
In his reaction Enoh said there should be sanctions after the conclusion of a thorough investigation.
“On July 28, 2024, as Minister of Sports Development, I visited and addressed Team Nigeria athletes at the Games Village in Paris,” Enoh wrote on X. “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.
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“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. She is a Commonwealth Games silver medalist, an African Games champion, a former World U20 champion, and an African Senior Athletics Championships champion in the 200m.
“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.
“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.”
6 Comments
Hmmmm. My country Nigeria. It’s well
I salute the Minister of Sports for his fiery response to the omission of favour ofili from the 100M. well, investigation is still ongoing and whosoever found culpable should be made to face the full wrath of the law. On the hindsight, this is not the first time this disgraceful and appalling show of shame is happening. The Minister need to rise and nip this National embarrassment and epidemic in the bud.
I would say “heads must roll”, but being Nigeria there’s little or no evidence to convince anyone they will…SMH
“Ministerial Podium Performance Comittee”… Lots of committees, but no results.
I guess the government “delegates” to the Olympics far outnumber the athletes.
Nigeria!
The minister of sports asked Professor Anugweje, the chairman of the so called Ministerial Podium Performance Committee to resolve the issue
The Committee chairman transferred the case to the 1st Vice President of NOC, Chief Solomon Ogba
The 1st Vice president only gave a vague assurance that the matter was being “handled” (the same way they handled it when she missed out the first time).
Nigeria, I hail o!
When the head is rotten the whole body decay. Start from Tinubu