That Favor Chukwuka Ofili qualified to represent Nigeria in 100m events at the Paris Olympics as Nigeria champion is no longer news, neither is it news that she was denied the opportunity to dorn the country's color in that event a news. But what remains a mystery is how her name was expunged from the list of athletes that ran the event in the Olympics. Who knows, she MAY have performed wonders in the event.

Favour Ofili actually specializes in sprinting. She has gained recognition for her impressive performances in the 200m and 400m events. She won the National championship in 100 meters to qualify for the Olympics. She had a new national record in the 200m with a time of 21.96 seconds at the 2022 Nigerian Championships. She won gold in the 400m at the 2022 African Championships.She represented Nigeria at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon. She holds a personal best of 49.89 seconds in the 400m, making her one of the top-ranked African athletes in the event.

The 21-year-old sprinter was expecting to compete in three events at her first Olympics: the 100m, 200m and women’s 4x100m relay.

But Ofili was told that she had not been registered for the 100m before Friday’s heats.

She subsequently shared a blistering statement on social media saying: “It is with great regret that I have just been told I will not be competing in the 100 meters at this Olympic Games. I qualified, but those with the AFN and NOC failed to enter my name. I have worked for 4 years to earn this opportunity. For what??only not to be entered and to compete at the Olympic Games because the responsible organization failed to enter me? Please remember, in the last Olympic Games I was not able to compete because AFN, NADC and NOC failed to release funds for athletes in the USA to be tested, which made 14 Nigeria athletes that qualified to not compete. Now THIS........ If those responsible are NOT held accountable for taking this opportunity from me, neither organization can EVER be trusted in the future!.

Her statement erupted confusion not only in the Team Nigeria Camp, but the country in general. The Minister incharge of sports started asking questions. He vowed to get to the root of the matter saying "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". 

He insisted that the Athletic Federation of Nigeria and the Nigeria Olympic Committee must ensure that Favour Ofili is not deprived of the opportunity to compete in the races for which she is qualified and registered to represent the country at the Paris Olympics. It is now a know fact that the athlete didn't participate in the event, and those that were 'favored' in the event, could not make it to the finals.

The World Athletics Federation , the organisation responsible for drawing up start lists,  confirmed  that Ofili was only entered in two events - the 200m and the women’s 4x100m relay.

This made Nigeria's sports minister, senator John Owan Enoh, to insist that the saga will be investigated and there will be "thorough sanctions” for those found culpable for the oversight.

The questions that many Nigerians  are asking is at what point did   administrative error occurred, that deprived the country of the opportunity of using her best.

Be it as it maybe, the Sports Minister will need the heart of a lion to get an answer to the following questions he is asking: At what point did Ofili's  name was  dropped out of the 100m race?
Who's responsible for this?
What's the motives behind this?
What's the trail of communication from AFN to NOC and to IOC and/or World Athletics?

Box 18 just hope the Minister finds an answer to them, or else they will the other ways of similar championship sagas.