Officials of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria have remained silent on recent claims that sprinter Favour Ofili is being labeled as “uncontrollable” by an unnamed insider within the federation, amid speculation of her potential switch in national allegiance.
According to The PUNCH, Ofili’s strained relationship with the AFN and the Nigeria Olympic Committee reportedly stems from the federation’s failure to register her for the women’s 100m event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where Nigeria ultimately did not secure a medal.
Despite the Sports Minister, John Enoh, vowing to investigate the circumstances surrounding her exclusion, the tension between Ofili and the federation appears to be worsening.
When approached for comments regarding the AFN’s stance on the situation, particularly following the unnamed official’s remarks, the federation’s Technical Director, Samuel Onikeku, chose not to engage, citing the controversial nature of the issue.
“It’s an unnamed source, and you want me to comment? You should know by now I don’t dwell on controversies. If it is a technical issue, then I can respond, thanks,” Onikeku stated.
Meanwhile, the AFN President, Tonobok Okowa, did not respond to repeated calls and messages from reporters.
A report from another source alleges that the AFN has been concerned with Ofili’s conduct since 2022, describing her as increasingly difficult to manage.
The unnamed official highlighted Ofili’s decision to skip the semifinal of the women’s 100m at the 23rd African Senior Championships in Douala, Cameroon, in July as a significant letdown for Nigeria.
“Our immediate reaction was to stop her and Rosemary Chukwuma, who also stayed away from her 100m semifinal event, from making the team to the Paris Olympics. But the Sports Minister, John Owan Enoh, invited them to his hotel in Douala for discussion even without our knowledge. It became difficult for the AFN to wield the big stick against them,” the official stated.
In response, Dennis Shaver, Ofili’s coach from Louisiana State University, refuted the allegations, explaining that her decision to withdraw from the race was due to concerns over a potential injury after several delays and multiple warm-up sessions.
“So it’s not true. Favour informed coaches after multiple start time delays from several warm-ups she would not compete in the final due to feelings of possible injury. This is the fact!” Shaver clarified on X.
Adding her voice to the controversy, Blessing Okagbare, the Beijing 2008 Olympics silver medallist currently serving an 11-year ban for doping violations, defended Ofili on X, suggesting that the federation often labels athletes as “undisciplined” when they challenge authority. “If and when you challenge an authority for negligence and incompetence, they tag you as undisciplined, arrogant, and disrespectful. None of them can even prove how you disrespected them directly. They’re always threatened by the truth,” Okagbare wrote.
The situation underscores the ongoing friction between athletes and the federation, raising broader questions about athlete management and governance within Nigerian sports.
