Paris Olympics exclusion: Panel recommends compensation for Favour Ofili

By Tosin Omojola

An investigative panel, led by Dr. Mumuni Alao and established by former sports minister Senator Joseph Enoh, has recommended a $5,000 compensation for Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili.

The recommendation comes after the Nigerian Athletics Federation (AFN) failed to register Ofili for the 100-meter race at the 2024 Paris Olympics, despite her meeting all qualification standards.

The committee was tasked with investigating incidents within Team Nigeria’s camp at the Paris Olympics, including the “bicycle saga” involving Ese Ukpesenraye, a doping issue in boxing, the omission of Ofili’s name from the women’s 100-meter event, and Team Nigeria’s disappointing medal performance, falling short of the projected 10 medals.

Sources indicate that the panel has submitted its report, with this recommendation likely being one of the first tasks for the Shehu Dikko-led National Sports Commission to address.

As part of the recommendations, the panel advised the AFN to pay Ofili $5,000 as compensation for the mental distress caused by the oversight. According to the panel’s findings, this fee should be borne by the AFN as a consequence of its negligence.

A segment of the report reads:

“The Committee takes the view that the Athletics Federation of Nigeria is vicariously liable in the Favour Ofili issue and should compensate the athlete as a shared responsibility. We see this monetary compensation as a symbolic gesture to hold sports officials and federations accountable for their actions.”

The report further cited that the AFN had previously encountered similar issues, such as athlete disqualifications at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to administrative errors.

While the panel was unable to link Ofili’s exclusion to specific individuals within the AFN, it did identify Secretary-General Rita Mosindi and Technical Director Samuel Onikeku for their roles in the oversight, recommending sanctions for both.

Regarding Onikeku, the report stated:

“The Technical Director of the federation, Samuel Onikeku, should be sanctioned by the AFN Board, of which he is a member.” Onikeku is recommended for sanction for not acting on “hints” and “rumors” regarding Ofili’s non-registration for the 100m event, reflecting poor judgment on the matter.

The panel also recommended action against Mosindi, citing:

“The Secretary-General of the AFN, Rita Mosindi, should be penalized by the appropriate authority for negligence. She could not provide sufficient evidence to our Committee to substantiate her claim that she submitted important documents related to Favour Ofili’s registration in the 100m to the NOC.”

The panel’s recommendations now await ratification by the Federal Government, through the newly restructured National Sports Commission.