The recent exclusion of Favour Ofili from the 100m sprint event at the Paris Olympics by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) is quite disappointing. This goes ahead to show the unprofessionalism rampant within these organisations that also strips a talented athlete of an opportunity she has diligently prepared for over the years.
Ofili raised the alarm via her X page on July 30, accusing the NOC and the AFN of failing to register her.
“It is with great regret that I have just been told I will not be competing in the 100 meters at this Olympic Games. I qualified, but those with the AFN and NOC failed to enter me. I have worked for four years to earn this opportunity. For what… to not be entered and compete at the Olympic Games because the responsible organisation failed to enter me?” Ofili lamented.
“Please remember, in the last Olympic Games I was not able to compete because AFN, NADC, and NOC failed to release funds for athletes in the USA to be tested, which made 14 Nigeria I athletes that qualified to not compete. Now THIS…… If those responsible are NOT held accountable for taking this opportunity from me, neither organization can EVER be trusted in the future! Next one is the 200 meters, I HOPE I’M ENTERED.”
Ofili’s dedication, hard work, and stellar performances have inspired many young athletes. She has consistently shown promise on the international stage, and her potential to bring home medals for Nigeria has been evident.
The decision to Omit her from the Olympics is a severe blow to her career.
The Minister of Sports, John Owan Enoh, in a statement, expressed disappointment and vowed to investigate the matter. “This is unacceptable. Our athletes deserve better,” the Minister tweeted. However, words without action are meaningless. The minister’s statement, while necessary, does little to rectify the immediate injustice faced by Ofili.
Technical Director of the AFN, Samuel Onikeku said the body was as shocked as the athlete over the development, “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 said via AFN Media.
The AFN and NOC have offered vague explanations, citing procedural issues and selection criteria that are not transparent. Their statements have done little to quell the outrage. The AFN, in a recent tweet, stated, “We regret the situation but assure all athletes of our commitment to fairness.” This hollow assurance rings especially empty given the current circumstances.
Athletes like Favour Ofili spend years preparing for events like the Olympics. The sacrifices, the grueling training schedules, and the sheer determination required to compete at this level are immense. To be sidelined due to bureaucratic inefficiency and unprofessionalism is a bitter pill to swallow. This decision not only affects Ofili’s career but also sets a dangerous precedent. It sends a message to young athletes that their hard work can be undone by the very organisations meant to support them.
The unprofessionalism displayed by the AFN and NOC in this matter is staggering. The lack of clear communication, the opaque selection process, and the failure to address concerns promptly all point to a systemic issue within these organizations. There needs to be accountability and a complete overhaul of the processes to prevent such occurrences in the future.
This is administrative negligence. The relevant authorities must take immediate action to address this issue and ensure that such an oversight does not occur in the future. The AFN and NOC must not only rectify this mistake but also work towards rebuilding trust with the athletes and the public. Our athletes deserve better, and it is high time that the governing bodies of sports in Nigeria uphold the principles of fairness, transparency, and professionalism.