Nigeria Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has intervened in the controversy surrounding athlete Favour Ofili’s registration for the Paris Olympics. Onili, a top Nigerian athlete, had expressed concerns directly to the Minister about her registration status for the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay events.
The Minister, known for his open-door policy, had previously addressed Team Nigeria athletes at the Games Village in Paris and encouraged them to reach out to him directly with any concerns. Upon hearing Ofili’s distress, the Minister promptly contacted the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) to resolve the issue.
Investigations revealed that Ofili was indeed registered for the events in question, contrary to initial claims. The Minister has demanded explanations from the NOC President and has vowed to take thorough sanctions against those responsible for the negligence.
Ofili, a decorated athlete with numerous international medals, including a Commonwealth Games silver medal and an African Games champion title, will not be deprived of her opportunity to compete. The Minister has ensured that the AFN and NOC take immediate action to rectify the situation.
This incident highlights the Minister’s commitment to accountability and excellence in sports administration. He has warned that incompetence will not be tolerated, and all parties must take their duties seriously. The incident is currently under investigation, and further updates are expected.
