Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili blames AFN, NOC, and NADC for her exclusion from the 100m event at the Paris Olympics, citing registration failures. This follows a history of administrative issues affecting Nigerian athletes, sparking calls for accountability and reforms.
Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili will not be participating in the women’s 100m event at the ongoing Paris Olympics, a competition she had eagerly anticipated. The athlete has publicly blamed the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC), and the National Anti-Doping Committee (NADC) for this disappointing turn of events.
Ofili, known for her prowess in both the 100m and 200m events, was set to represent Nigeria alongside Tima Godbless and Rosemary Chukwuma in the 100m race. However, she revealed that due to a registration oversight by the AFN, NOC, and NADC, she was not entered into the competition.
Taking to social media on Tuesday night, Ofili expressed her frustration and disappointment: "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 my name. I have worked for 4 years to earn this opportunity. For what…to not be entered and compete at the Olympic Games because the responsible organization failed to enter me?"
Ofili also recalled a similar incident at the last Olympics, where the failure of the AFN, NADC, and NOC to release necessary funds for athlete testing in the USA resulted in 14 Nigerian athletes being unable to compete. "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 Nigerian 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!"
The sprinter remains hopeful about her participation in the 200m event, set to commence on Thursday, and concluded her message with a hopeful yet wary note: "Next one is the 200 meters, I HOPE I'M ENTERED."
The exclusion of Favour Ofili from the 100m event has sparked outrage among fans and sports analysts, who are calling for accountability and reforms within the governing bodies of Nigerian athletics.
