AFN Confirms Ofili’s Registration for Multiple Events Amid Controversy.
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has expressed shock and confusion regarding the omission of sprinter Favour Ofili’s name from the 100m event at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The reigning Nigeria 100m champion discovered her absence from the list of competitors and accused the AFN of deliberately omitting her from the event.
In response, AFN Technical Director Samuel Onikeku stated that the federation had registered Ofili for the 100m, 200m, and the 4x100m relay. “We registered Ofili for the 100m, 200m, and the 4x100m relay. We don’t know how her name got missing in the 100m. This is our stand as a federation,” Onikeku explained in a message to AFN Media.
The AFN claims that Ofili’s name was included in the final list submitted to the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) for all three events. It remains unclear how her name was omitted from the 100m event. Ofili had secured her place by running 11.06 seconds at the Nigerian Olympic Trials in Benin City and had consistently competed in 100m races this season, posting wind-aided times of 10.85 and 10.78 seconds.
Ofili expressed her frustration on social media, saying, “It is with great regret that I have just been told I will not be competing in the 100 metres at this Olympic Games. I qualified, but those with the AFN and NOC failed to enter me. I have worked for 4 years to earn this opportunity.”
She further criticised the AFN and NOC, recalling a similar situation in the last Olympics where she and 13 other Nigerian athletes were unable to compete due to administrative failures. “For what…to not be entered and compete at the Olympic Games because the responsible organisation failed to enter me? If those responsible are NOT held accountable for taking this opportunity from me, neither organisation can EVER be trusted in the future! Next one is the 200 metres, I HOPE I’M ENTERED,” she lamented.
The situation highlights ongoing administrative challenges within Nigerian athletics, impacting athletes’ opportunities on the global stage.
