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Sports Minister To Probe Favour Ofili’s Exclusion From Paris Olympics

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Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has said he will probe the exclusion of Nigerian athlete, Favour Ofili, from the 100m Women’s event at the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

On Tuesday, the sprinter announced that she will not be competing in the 100-metre race at the ongoing Olympics in Paris due to administrative failures by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria and the Nigerian Olympic Committee.

“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 me. I have worked for 4 years to earn this opportunity. For what?” Ofili wrote on Instagram.

Reacting in a statement on Wednesday, the minister said the “Athletic Federation of Nigeria and the Nigeria Olympic Committee must ensure that 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. She is committed to proving her mettle.”

He vowed appropriate “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,” Enoh said.

See the full statement by the minister below:

Favour Ofili, AFN, and the NOC.On July 28, 2024, as Minister of Sports Development, I visited and addressed Team Nigeria athletes at the Games Village in Paris.

It was a no holds barred session. Thereafter, I had my usual personal interaction with the athletes to allow them to express their concerns directly to me, which has been my tradition as Minister of Sports.

In addition, i have continued to encourage athletes to reach me directly on any concerns.

In hindsight, when Ofili had issues at the African Championships in Douala, I reached out to get her side of the story, and this time, it hasn’t been different. Favour Ofili reached me directly, expressing her concern for her races.

Immediately I called Professor Ken Anugweje, the lead of the Ministerial Podium Performance Committee, to ensure that Ofili’s issues are thoroughly addressed. He got back to me shortly after to say he was in touch with the 1st Vice President of NOC, Chief Solomon Ogba, and that the matter was being handled.

Upon hearing Ofili’s distress this morning, I reached out to the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN).

The Technical Director, Samuel Onikeku, stated categorically that Favour Ofili was registered for the 100m, 200m, and the 4x100m relay.

The Secretary General of AFN has also insisted that the final list forwarded by her to NOC (the only body the International Olympic Committee receives the final list of athletes from), had Ofili listed for the 100m as well.

I am in touch with the President of the NOC on this and await his explanation.Ofili has been in the top eight at the World Championships.

She is a Commonwealth Games silver medalist, an African Games champion, a former World U20 champion, and an African Senior Athletics Championships champion in the 200m.

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.

As an immediate measure, 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.

She is committed to proving her mettle. Senator John Owan EnohHonourable Minister of Sports Development.31/7/24

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UPDATE: How bankruptcy led Nigerian boxer to death in Ghana – NBBofC

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The Nigeria Boxing Board of Control says boxer Segun ‘Success’ Olanrewaju, who died in Accra, Ghana on Saturday, was not granted approval for the fatal bout after his initial fight scheduled for Friday was cancelled after being adjudged overweight.

The 40-year-old former National and West African light-heavyweight champion lost consciousness during his bout against Ghanaian boxer Jon Mbanugu at Fight Night 15 of the Ghana Professional Boxing League at Bukom Boxing Arena, Accra on Saturday.

It was learnt that Olanrewaju was leading on points before the tragic incident occurred in the scheduled eight-round light-heavyweight contest against Mbanugu, also known as “Jon Power,” who holds a record of 12 wins, one loss, and one draw, with 12 knockouts.

It took only a few seconds for officials and fans at the Bukom Boxing Arena to realise that something was seriously wrong.

Olanrewaju had landed two weak punches on his opponent before Mbanugu responded with a right hand to the Nigerian’s face.

After a brief impasse between both men, the Nigerian boxer staggered backwards, fell against the ropes and collapsed, to the disbelief of the fans.

The Nigerian fighter slumped on his side as the referee began the mandatory count.

Moments later, he turned face down, with his throat resting against one of the ropes.

His team rushed into the ring, placed him on the canvas, removed his gum shield, and attempted to resuscitate him as he appeared to be gasping for breath.

The on-site emergency medical team quickly transported him to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Secretary-General, the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, Remi Aboderin, said the boxing body permitted Olanrewaju to fight on Friday but the bout was cancelled.

According to Aboderin, the late pugilist then decided to fight the next day so he could make some money to clear his debts back home.

“Segun got our approval to fight in Ghana, a fight that was proposed to take place on a Friday. Unfortunately, they did weigh-in on Thursday and he was found to be overweight and they told him the person he was to fight was not his weight.

“They said to do this, they would increase his purse with another $500, which he said was too small, and due to that, there was no agreement.”

Aboderin further revealed that another Nigerian fought that Friday night.

“Saturday morning, they were on their way back to Lagos, they had even left Accra and were at Aflao border when Segun said to the coach that followed him, that’s Diran Alamu, that it was not going to be easy returning home; he left Nigeria with no money and he had debts to pay and needed money.

So, he wanted to call the Ghanaians and see if another fight was coming up and told them he was now ready to collect the additional $500 as discussed because he felt it would not pay him if he returned home without money.

“So, they called the matchmaker, who informed him that there was a fight on Saturday night and that they could put the fight for that Saturday, but we didn’t give him the approval for that, and this is where the GBA (Ghana Boxing Association) erred.

So, he turned back and went back to Ghana because he needed the money; he owed a lot of people money,” the NBBofC secretary added.

Coach Babatunde Ojo, who trained Olanrewaju, also said that he advised the boxer against fighting on short notice.

“He (Olanrewaju) told me they gave him a fight last week. After he informed me, I told him, ‘the fight was at short notice, you are not training and you want to go, you can’t go, leave this fight for a better offer,’” Ojo said.

“He initially told me the fight was on April 1, but he called later to say it was no longer next month but on March 29.

So, I told him that it was at short notice but if he wanted us to go together, he should tell the organisers to book flights so we could go there and come back together. He called them and when he got back to me, he said they told him they would get him a car that would take him to Ghana.

I said no, that’s not possible. So, he knew I didn’t want him to go.

“After that, he called me that they (NBBofC) had given him a release letter (for the fight). I didn’t hear from him afterwards, so I called him.

He said he had been called again for the fight and was going that night. I told him, ‘Success, don’t you think this fight is too early?’ He said he would call me back. The next time I called him, he said he was on his way (to Ghana), and he didn’t call me because he knew I wouldn’t allow him go.

That was why he didn’t tell me. He is an adult, so, I could not stop him.

“Now we have this situation, these are the things I advise my boxers against; you can’t pick a fight at short notice, you need at least one month. I am very saddened by his loss; may his soul rest in peace,” Ojo added.

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Nigerian Boxer, Olanrewaju Dies in Boxing Ring

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The former National and West African light-heavyweight champion, Segun ‘Success’ Olanrewaju, has died after he collapsed during a fight in Ghana on Saturday.

Olanrewaju was competing against Ghanaian boxer Jon Mbanugu at Fight Night 15 of the Ghana Professional Boxing League at Bukom Boxing Arena when he suddenly lost consciousness.

Reports indicate that he was ahead on points before the unfortunate incident occurred..

A widely circulated video on social media captures the moment he collapsed in the ring, further shocking fans and the boxing community.

Olanrewaju, a highly respected figure in Nigerian boxing, held both National and West African light-heavyweight titles during his career.

His contributions to the sport have been widely recognized, with tributes pouring in from colleagues, fans, and sports officials who remember him for his dedication and impact on boxing in Nigeria and across West Africa.

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JUST IN: Super Eagles revive World Cup hopes with 2-0 victory over Rwanda

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Nigeria boosted their 2026 World Cup qualifying hopes with a 2-0 win over Rwanda on Friday night, marking a successful debut for new head coach, Eric Chelle.

Victor Osimhen, in fine form this season for Galatasaray, delivered a first-half brace to secure the victory.

The prolific striker opened the scoring with a side-footed finish from Ademola Lookman’s well-placed free-kick.

He then doubled Nigeria’s lead after winning the ball at the halfway line and chipping it over the goalkeeper.

The three-time African champions now move up to third place in Group C, following South Africa’s 2-0 win over Lesotho.

Chelle’s men will face Zimbabwe on Monday as they continue their quest for World Cup qualification.

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