Nigeria’s Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan Enoh, has instructed the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) to urgently resolve the issue concerning athlete Favour Ofili’s registration for the 100m race at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Ofili, who had qualified for the event, discovered on Tuesday that she was not registered to compete. In response, Minister Enoh emphasized that both AFN and NOC must ensure that Ofili is not denied the chance to participate in the races for which she is qualified and registered.
“They should both ensure she was not deprived of the opportunity to compete in the races which she is qualified for and registered to represent the country at the Paris Olympics,” Enoh stated, highlighting Ofili's commitment to proving her capabilities.
The AFN has expressed surprise over the situation, insisting that they did register Ofili. Minister Enoh, however, condemned the lapse as “utter recklessness” and promised thorough sanctions after a detailed investigation into the negligence.
“It is highly inexcusable, and there will be thorough sanctions after investigations into where and from whom this gross negligence originated,” Enoh asserted. He emphasized that incompetence is not tolerated within the Federal Ministry of Sports Development.
Enoh had recently visited the Team Nigeria athletes at the Games Village in Paris, engaging in candid discussions and encouraging athletes to express their concerns directly to him. Following Ofili’s distress signal, Enoh immediately tasked Prof. Ken Anugweje, the head of the Ministerial Podium Performance Committee, to address the issue. Anugweje reported back that he was in contact with the NOC’s First Vice-President, Solomon Ogba, and that the matter was being handled.
Despite reassurances from AFN’s Technical Director, Samuel Onikeku, and the Secretary-General of AFN that Ofili was listed for the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay, Minister Enoh is awaiting an explanation from the NOC President regarding the discrepancy.
Favour Ofili is a highly accomplished athlete, having been a top eight finalist at the World Championships, a Commonwealth Games silver medalist, an African Games champion, a former World Under-20 champion, and an African Senior Athletics Championships champion in the 200m. The resolution of her registration issue is crucial to her participation in the Paris 2024 Olympics.