The recent revelation by Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili regarding her inability to compete in the 100m event at the ongoing Olympics in Paris has once again highlighted the chronic administrative failures plaguing Nigerian sports. Ofili, in a series of heartfelt tweets on Tuesday night, laid bare the incompetence of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC), demanding accountability and questioning their trustworthiness.
Favour Ofili, who has allegedly dedicated the past four years to earning her spot in the 100m race, was reportedly left devastated by the news that she would not be competing. She rightfully expressed her frustration and disappointment, stating, “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?”
This isn’t an isolated incident. Ofili’s plight is a repeat of the administrative blunders that reportedly marred the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she and 13 other Nigerian athletes were allegedly denied the chance to compete due to the failure of the AFN, the Nigerian Anti-Doping Committee (NADC), and the NOC to release funds for mandatory testing. This pattern of negligence and mismanagement is not only detrimental to the athletes but also tarnishes Nigeria’s reputation on the global stage.
Ofili’s situation is a glaring example of how bureaucratic inefficiency and lack of accountability can shatter the dreams of dedicated athletes. The AFN and NOC must take immediate steps to rectify these issues and ensure that such failures do not recur. Athletes like Favour Ofili deserve better—they deserve a system that supports their hard work and dedication, rather than one that consistently lets them down.
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As Ofili holds out hope for being entered in the 200m event, the responsible authorities must address these administrative lapses. Nigerian athletes, who pour their heart and soul into representing their country, should never have to question the reliability of the organizations meant to support them.
- By Ken Gbados
