Sports Ministry Probes Ofili’s Exclusion From 100m Event at Paris Olympics

• The Federal Ministry of Sports is investigating the Athletics Federation of Nigeria for Favour Ofili’s omission from the women’s 100m event
• Ofili expressed frustration over her exclusion despite qualifying, while the AFN claims she was registered for multiple events at the Olympics

The Federal Ministry of Sports is investigating the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) over the omission of Favour Ofili from the women’s 100m event at the ongoing 2024 Paris Olympics. Ofili, a strong medal hopeful for Nigeria, expressed her frustration on social media upon discovering her exclusion despite having qualified for the event.

Ofili secured her spot in the 100m during the AFN National Trials held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, where she achieved a personal best of 11.06 seconds. In April, she also met the Olympic 200m qualifying mark with a time of 22.33 seconds at the Tom Jones Memorial Classic.

The AFN claims to be equally baffled by Ofili’s omission, insisting she was registered for the 100m, 200m, and the women’s 4x100m relay. AFN Technical Director Samuel Onikeku stated, “We registered Ofili for the 100m, 200m, and the 4x100m relay. We don’t know how her name got missing in the 100m. This is our stand as a federation.”

Despite these claims, the entry list published by World Athletics shows Ofili is only competing in the 200m and women’s 4x100m relay.

Minister of Sports, Senator John Enoh, expressed his disappointment and emphasized his commitment to resolving the issue and ensuring accountability within the sports administration. Enoh stated, “Upon hearing Ofili’s distress this morning, I contacted 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. I am in touch with the President of the NOC on this and await his explanation.”

Enoh declared that he would not tolerate “this utter recklessness” and promised thorough sanctions after investigations into the origin of this gross negligence.

Despite her 100m Olympic dream being shattered, Ofili now focuses on the 200m event, where she aims to make a significant impact and challenge for a medal.