A Federal Government investigative panel has held the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) responsible for sprinter Favour Ofili’s omission from the women’s 100-meter event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. In a report released Monday, the committee, led by Mumini Alao, detailed lapses by AFN officials, as well as the Nigeria Olympic Committee and other regulatory bodies, which reportedly contributed to Ofili’s exclusion.
The report faults AFN Secretary General Rita Mosindi for failing to promptly update the Ministry of Sports Development and the Nigeria Olympic Committee about Ofili’s participation status. Additionally, the AFN’s Technical Director, Samuel Onikeku, was criticized for “poor judgment,” as he did not act on information indicating Ofili’s registration issue, potentially preventing her Olympic setback.
The committee recommended penalties for involved officials and advised that the AFN pay N8 million to Ofili for the mental distress caused by her exclusion.
The report also addressed Nigerian cyclist Ese Ukpeseraye’s statement that she had to borrow a track bike from the German team to compete. The panel recommended that Ukpeseraye issue a formal apology to the Nigerian Cycling Federation for her social media comments, which it claimed caused embarrassment.
The committee’s report, initially submitted to the now-defunct Ministry of Sports Development, comes after President Tinubu’s recent transition of the ministry’s functions to the National Sports Commission.
