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Nigerian 100m champion Favour Ofili has narrated how an Athletics direction in Nigeria ruined her Paris Olympics dream.
Nigerian sprint queen Favour Ofili has voiced her frustrations following the Athletics Federation of Nigeria's (AFN) failure to register her for the women's 100m event at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
This incident has left her heartbroken and demanding accountability from the officials responsible for what she describes as a "hard-earned" opportunity that was unjustly taken away.
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19:27 - 04.10.2024
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In a recent statement, Ofili revealed that she only discovered her exclusion from the 100m race upon arriving in Paris.
She stated, “I worked so hard to qualify for both the 100 meters and the 200 meters... I was ready both physically and psychologically”.
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Her preparations included extensive training and a commitment to competing in multiple events, including the 4x100m relay.
Ofili had been assured by AFN Technical Director Samuel Onikeku that she would be registered for these events, leading to her shock when she found her name missing from the entry list just days before the heats began.
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Despite reaching out to Onikeku and other officials for clarification, Ofili was met with delays and inadequate responses.
She recounted, per Sportsnow; “For two whole days before the event would start, I was sending messages to the TD... but he kept telling me to calm down”.
At some point, he stopped responding to my messages, saying that he was busy with other things, so I started calling other people that I thought might be able to help me.
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Frustrated by the lack of resolution, she took to social media to share her plight, emphasising the emotional toll this situation has taken on her.
The fallout from this incident has prompted a federal investigation into the AFN's handling of athlete registrations.
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A committee established by the government has identified negligence among AFN officials as a key factor in Ofili's omission.
The report criticised Onikeku for failing to act on early warnings about her registration status and recommended sanctions against those involved, including financial compensation of ₦8 million for Ofili's distress.
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Former Sports Minister John Owan Enoh expressed outrage over the situation, promising thorough investigations and accountability for those responsible.
He stated, “It is highly inexcusable... All parties must take their duties very seriously”.
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The minister's commitment to resolving this issue reflects a broader concern about Nigeria's sports administration, especially after a disappointing performance at the Olympics where no medals were secured.
Her determination highlights not only her struggle but also raises critical questions about the governance of athletics and sports in Nigeria and the support provided to its athletes.
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