Minister of sports wades into Ofili distress promise sanctions

On July 28, 2024, the Minister of Sports Development visited and addressed Team Nigeria athletes at the Games Village in Paris. It was a no holds barred session. Thereafter, he had is usual personal interaction with the athletes to allow them to express their concerns directly to him, which has been is tradition as Minister of Sports. In addition the minister of sports has continued to encourage athletes to reach him directly on any concerns.

In hindsight, when Ofili had issues at the African Championships in Douala, the minister reached out to get her side of the story, and this time, it hasn’t been different. Favour Ofili reached the minister directly, expressing her concern for her races.Immediately the minister said he 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 to the minister 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, the minister also 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. The minister has been 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.

The Minister of Sports, has said he 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.

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