Sports

Olympics: AFN, NOC under fire over Ofili’s 100m omission

Published

2 months ago

August 1, 2024

Favour Ofili

Olympics: AFN, NOC under fire over Ofili’s 100m omission

The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) may have a case to answer in the omission of Favour Ofili’s name from the list of Team Nigeria athletes who are to compete in the blue-ribbon women’s 100m race of the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Ofili was originally listed to compete in both the 100m and the 200m events in Paris but the 21-year-old went to town late Tuesday night that she was not registered with World Athletics for the 100m hence she would only compete in the 200m.

“I qualified, but those with the AFN and NOC failed to register me,” she said. “If those responsible are not held accountable for taking this opportunity from me, neither organisation can ever be trusted in the future!”

Normally, it’s the responsibility of the NOC to present Team Nigeria athletes to the International Olympic Committee(IOC) vis-à-vis World Athletics but there seems to be confusion on how Ofili was denied a spot for the 100m race to the chagrin of the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh.

Senator Enoh explained in a long post shared by his media team, that he had interfaced with both the NOC and AFN as well as Ofili to unravel how the athlete was denied the opportunity to compete for a medal.

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The minister stated inter alia: “As Minister of Sports, I will not tolerate this utter recklessness. It is highly inexcusable, and there will be thorough sanctions after investigations into where and from whom this gross negligence originated. All parties must take their duties very seriously. “
The current way of operating the Federal Ministry of Sports Development does not allow for incompetence at any level.”

The AFN through its Technical Director, Samuel Onikeku issued a statement absolving itself of any culpability in the matter a NOC insider called ‘AFN with her peculiar problem’.

“We registered Ofili for the 100m, 200m and the 4x100m relay. We don’t know how her name got missing in the 100m. This is our stand as a federation,” AFN Technical Director, Onikeku, said in a message to AFN Media.

But an official of the NOC who spoke in confidence, said in as much as the body was not ready to ‘wash the AFN dirty linen’ in the public, he affirmed that the NOC has no power to have dropped Ofili from the entries for the 100m race.

“ We have seen through the shenanigans of the AFN and of course, we have seen the purported general list they have paraded in the media justifying the claim that Ofili was duly registered for both the 100m and 200m races,” the official said .“ But if you can reach out to Onikeku, ask him to produce the shortlist of athletes for individual events the AFN submitted?

“ Are they saying the NOC President is technically schooled enough to determine which of the races Ofili had a comparative advantage as she bids for a medal in Paris? The NOC will speak on this issue at the right time,” he added.

Olympics: AFN, NOC under fire over Ofili’s 100m omission

Related Topics:AFN Favour Ofili NOC Olympics

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Man United thrash Barnsley 7-0 in EFL Cup game

Published

18 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Trends Admin

Man United thrash Barnsley 7-0 in EFL Cup game

Manchester United enjoyed a dominant performance in the EFL Cup, securing their biggest victory under manager Erik ten Hag with a crushing win over League One side Barnsley.

United sailed into the last-16 of the competition, delivering an emphatic 7-0 win.

Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and veteran midfielder Christian Eriksen each scored twice, while Brazilian winger Antony converted a first-half penalty, contributing to the rout.

This win marked United’s most significant victory since their 9-0 demolition of Southampton in February 2021, when Covid-19 restrictions kept the stands empty.

For Ten Hag, this match was a milestone as it was the first time his team scored five or more goals since his appointment. Eriksen’s late brace further added to the celebratory mood, capping a night that the Dutch manager described as “perfect.”

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“For the team, this is the perfect night,” said Ten Hag. “We did everything we planned—winning to reach the next round, scoring some great goals, entertaining the fans, and working on our game model, so we are happy.”

Despite the vocal support from Barnsley’s traveling fans, Darrell Clarke’s side was thoroughly outmatched.

Their most notable moment came when Clarke himself showed a brilliant touch to control a ball that had gone out of play, earning applause from both sets of supporters.

United also handed a first start to their £50.5 million signing, Manuel Ugarte. The Uruguayan midfielder looked assured throughout the game, giving Ten Hag confidence that his team is nearing the complete squad he envisioned when he took over in 2022.

Despite the victory, Ten Hag remains grounded. “I wasn’t devastated after Liverpool, and I’m not celebrating now. We will see where we are in May because then we have to be good,” he said, emphasizing the long-term goals for the season.

Man United thrash Barnsley 7-0 in EFL Cup game

Sports

Liverpool fan killed while crossing highway in Italy

Published

18 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Trends Admin

Liverpool fan killed while crossing highway in Italy

A 51-year-old Irish Liverpool fan tragically lost his life on Monday night while attempting to cross the A4 highway near Orio al Serio Airport in Bergamo, Italy.

Reports from multiple Italian media outlets indicate that the unnamed fan had just arrived in Italy from Manchester when he was struck by a vehicle.

Local authorities found the man’s body near the airport, with no sign of the two individuals who had accompanied him on the trip.

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According to the Italian daily Il Corriere della Sera, the deceased was a devoted Liverpool supporter and held a ticket for the highly anticipated Champions League match between AC Milan and Liverpool at the San Siro stadium.

The unfortunate incident occurred as he was trying to reach the NH Hotel, where he was set to stay before the big match.

Investigations are currently underway, and the tragic death of this Liverpool fan has cast a shadow over what was meant to be an exciting European adventure for supporters.

Liverpool fan killed while crossing highway in Italy

Sports

Ronaldo’s Al Nassr fires head coach

Published

1 day ago

September 17, 2024

Trends Admin

Luis Castroa and Ronaldo

Ronaldo’s Al Nassr fires head coach

Saudi Arabian outfit, Al Nassr on Tuesday sacked Luis Castro as coach of the club.

The Saudi Pro League club announced on Tuesday that Castro had been dismissed from his role following weeks of speculation over his future.

“Al Nassr can announce that Head Coach Luis Castro has left the Club,” read a club statement, posted on X.

“Everyone at Al Nassr would like to thank Luis and his staff for their dedicated work during the past 14 months, wishing them the best of luck for the future.”

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Castro, 63, leaves Al Nassr seventh in the Saudi Pro League, three games into the new season.

Meanwhile, former AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli is set to take charge of the Saudi club instead, with a deal “on the verge” of being agreed.