Nigerian 200m record-holder Favour Ofili has claimed that her name was left off the entry list by Team Nigeria officials for the women’s 100m event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Writing on her social media page on Tuesday night, Favour Ofili expressed her disappointment with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) for the omission.
“It is with great regret that I have just been told I will not be competing in the 100 metres at this Olympic Games,” Ofili wrote on X.
“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?”
“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…, she added.
Ofili won the silver medal in the women’s 200m at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and was hoping to add an Olympic medal to her collection.
The Athletics programme of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games begins on Thursday August 1st.
‘Blame NOC not us – AFN’
However, the AFN has responded to Ofili’s claims with shock, claiming that they submitted her name for all three events – 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relays – on the final list sent to the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) for the Olympics.
“We registered Ofili for the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay. We don’t know how her name got missing in the 100m. This is our stand as a federation,” Samuel Onikeku, the technical director of AFN, told local media.
Sports Minister wades in
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s minister for sports development, John Owan Enoh has launched an investigation into the controversy. He promised to hold those responsible accountable.
“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,” said Minister Enoh.
“Favour Ofili reached out to me directly, expressing her concern for her races.
“Immediately, I called Professor Ken Anugweje, the head of the Ministerial Podium Performance Committee, to ensure that Ofili’s issues are thoroughly addressed,” he added.
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