The exclusion of sprinter Favour Ofili from the 100m event at the 2024 Paris Olympics has sparked widespread outrage and disappointment.
In response, Sports Minister, Senator John Enoh has condemned the situation and promised a thorough investigation into the matter. On his social media page, he stated:
“As Minister of Sports, I will not tolerate this utter recklessness. It is highly inexcusable, and there will be thorough sanctions following investigations into the source of this gross negligence. All parties must take their duties very seriously. The current operation of the Federal Ministry of Sports Development does not permit incompetence at any level.”
Favour Ofili recently voiced her frustration on social media, stating that despite qualifying for the 100m race at the ongoing Olympics in Paris, she was not registered by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).
This incident echoes a similar issue from the Tokyo Olympics, where athletes, including Ofili, were unable to participate due to the AFN, NADC, and NOC’s failure to secure funds for necessary tests in the USA.
The Sports Minister assured that measures would be taken to address the issue and get to the root of the problem.
He promised that Favour Ofili would not be deprived of competing in her remaining races.
“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.”
The situation has however elicited a flurry of reactions on social media from Nigerians who are baffled by the turn of events.
One user, Morris Monye, remarked, “Tomorrow if Favour Ofili switches country and gets a new passport to fulfill her dream of competing at the Olympics, ‘Patriots and Progressives’ will call her unpatriotic. The anyhowness in Nigeria kills dreams. Her dreams must come first! That’s all she has. People like Francis Obikwelu switched nationalities to Portugal and saw his career skyrocket.”
Another commented, “How challenging can it be to enter 37 athletes for a competition and yet shockingly omit one of your strongest medal contenders? Make it make sense.”
A third user added, “Favour Ofili took scalps at LSU, qualified for Olympics and then couldn’t compete because Nigerian Olympic officials refused to do their jobs. Two Olympics in a row. What is this country, please??”
One comment particularly highlighted suspicion, saying, “I’m Nigerian enough to know that this wasn’t a mistake. This is very clear, very deliberate sabotage. Someone somewhere isn’t happy with Favour Ofili and has sabotaged her participation in 2 Olympics in a row.”
