Sports minister: AFN said Ofili was registered for 100m… we’ll probe the mix-up

John Enoh, minister of sports development, says “there will be thorough sanctions” for anyone responsible for the omission of Favour Ofili’s name from the 2024 Olympics women’s 100 meters race.

On Tuesday, Ofili announced she would not participate in the race despite earning an automatic qualification earlier in the year.

The 22-year-old accused the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) of failing to register her for the event.

She blamed NOC and AFN for “taking this opportunity from me”, adding that “neither organisation can ever be trusted in the future”.

Speaking about the situation in a tweet on his X account on Wednesday, Enoh said Ofili had informed him earlier about the omission, and he reached out to appropriate organisations.

The minister said he was informed that “the matter was being handled”.

He said AFN informed him that Ofili was registered for the 100m, 200m, and the 4x100m relay in the final list submitted to NOC.

“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,” Enoh wrote.

“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.”

The minister added that “there will be thorough sanctions after investigations into where and from whom this gross negligence originated.”