The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Senator John Eno, has expressed his disbelief and disappointment concerning the situation with Favour Ofili that she was not registered for the 100-meter event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The Sports Minister shared an update on the situation through his official social media account on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. He stated that there was no valid reason for Favour Ofili not being registered since he personally ensured that all necessary steps were taken by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).
Favour Ofili took to her social media accounts to express her disappointment at not being able to participate in the 100-meter event. This is the second consecutive Olympic Games where she misses out on the opportunity to compete in the 100-meter event due to negligence from the responsible authorities.
The Sports Minister expressed his anger about the situation with Favour Ofili and promised to thoroughly investigate the matter. He stated that he had personally reached out to Ofili when she had issues at the African Championships in Douala and had also intervened this time when she expressed her concerns. The Minister emphasized that Ofili should not be deprived of the opportunity to compete in the races for which she is qualified and registered to represent the country at the Paris Olympics.
He said,
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"On July 28, 2024, as Minister of Sports Development, I visited and addressed Team Nigeria athletes at the Games Village in Paris. 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. 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."
Ofili and other Nigerians are hopeful that she will be able to compete in the 200-meter event as the situation develops and that necessary measures will be taken to address the negligence that led to her exclusion from the 100-meter event.
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