The latest update from Nigeria’s sports minister, John Enoh, sheds light on the exclusion of Nigerian sprinter, Favour Ofili, from the ongoing 100m race at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
Enoh has raised four important questions that need answers regarding the decision to drop Offili from participating in the Women’s 100m race.
Recently, Ofili announced her withdrawal from the 100m race at the Olympics, citing administrative oversights by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC).
Upon learning about her situation, Enoh promptly reached out to the AFN and the NOC to investigate the root cause of the issue.
Now, in a statement personally signed by Enoh on Friday, he provides an update on the matter.
Enoh expresses disappointment that the 100m race commenced without Favor Ofili, despite his efforts to resolve the issue and bring joy to Nigerians.
He acknowledges the proactive efforts of the NOC President, Engr Habu Gumel, and his team in engaging with various authorities to address the situation.
Enoh emphasizes his focus on Nigeria’s interests and demands accountability for Ofili’s exclusion from the race.
He highlights that while other countries may face similar issues, his primary concern is resolving the matter locally.
Enoh questions the timeline of events leading to Ofili’s omission, assigns responsibility for the oversight, probes the motives behind the decision, and seeks clarification on the communication flow between AFN, NOC, and international bodies like the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and World Athletics.
These unanswered questions must be addressed promptly post-Olympics to ensure transparency and accountability.
Enoh urges Favor Ofili to maintain focus on her remaining races and assures her of his support during this challenging time.
He also encourages Team Nigeria, especially the athletics squad, to stay motivated and aim for victory.