Following Favour Ofili and Rosemary Chukwuma’s failure to attend the women’s 100m semi-final on Saturday at the ongoing African Championships in Douala, Cameroon, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has set up a technical committee to investigate the matter.
“These two athletes are becoming something else, and it is time we let them know that they have to commit themselves to the national cause,” said a team coach.
“Rosemary gave us a lot of problems at the World Championships in Budapest and it ultimately affected our relay performance.
“It is about time the AFN gets them in line.”
No reason was provided by the athletes for their absence in the semi-final after participating in the heats.
However, it may be related to organizational issues, such as the absence of a starter’s gun.
Not only Ofili and Chukwuma, but top Ivorian sprinter Marie Jose Ta Lou Smith also refused to run in the semi-final.
The AFN technical committee is now looking into the circumstances surrounding Ofili and Chukwuma’s decision not to run the 100m.
