Sports
Sports Minister To Probe Favour Ofili’s Exclusion From Paris Olympics
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
Sports
Nigerian midfielder Daga jailed six months over sexual assault
The 19-year-old, who plays for Norwegian club Molde FK, was convicted on Tuesday and ordered to pay 10,000 Norwegian kroner in legal costs, according to a report by TV 2 Norway.
° Flying Eagles midfielder Daniel Daga
Flying Eagles midfielder Daniel Daga has been sentenced to six months in prison by a Norwegian court after being found guilty of committing a sexual act without consent.
The 19-year-old, who plays for Norwegian club Molde FK, was convicted on Tuesday and ordered to pay 10,000 Norwegian kroner in legal costs, according to a report by TV 2 Norway.
The case stems from an incident reported to Norwegian police in late April 2025.
Daga was later charged under Section 297 of the Norwegian Penal Code, which deals with sexual activity without consent.
During court proceedings, prosecutors requested a six-month prison sentence, a request the court eventually upheld. Public reports have provided limited details about the incident.
Daga’s lawyer, Astrid Bolstad, said the player was disappointed with the ruling and maintains that the encounter was consensual, adding that the ruling is not yet final and that the player intends to appeal.
“He is very upset about the verdict. He believes he is innocent and that everything happened with consent,” Bolstad told TV 2.
” The verdict is not legally binding yet. He should be treated like anyone else until the case is finalised,” Bolstad said, noting that Daga had continued to train normally in recent weeks.
In a statement issued later on Tuesday, Molde FK described the situation as difficult and confirmed that the player would not be included in the club’s matchday squad until further notice.
The club’s chairman, Tarje Nordstrand Jacobsen, said, “This is a very demanding matter for all involved.
As an employer, Molde Football Club has a responsibility to look after our employees in a responsible manner, while at the same time having great respect for the seriousness of the matter and for the burdens this entails for all parties concerned.
(VANGUARD)
Sports
FIBA W/Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament Begins Today with Nigeria’s D’Tigress Vs Colombia
After today’s opening game against Colombia, the D’Tigress will face South Korea tomorrow, meet the Philippines on March 14, hosts France on March 15 and Germany on March 17.
The 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup tournament begins in Lyon, France today with D’Tigress opening the game against Colombia .
Host nation, Germany, and continental champions, Belgium (Europe), United States (FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2025 champions), Australia (Asia) and Nigeria (Africa) have already qualified for the World Cup, but they are still participating in the qualifying tournament.
Coach Rema Wakama is in Lyon with 12 players, who are expected to maintain Nigeria’s rising status in world’s women’s basketball.
The qualifiers will serve as further preparation for the global tournament scheduled to take place in Germany from September 4 to 13.
After today’s opening game against Colombia, the D’Tigress will face South Korea tomorrow, meet the Philippines on March 14, hosts France on March 15 and Germany on March 17.
In total, 24 national teams are competing across four global tournaments for the remaining places at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 in Berlin.
A total of 60 games will be played across four round-robin qualifying tournaments across the globe as teams battle for their places at the sport’s flagship international competition.
In most tournaments, the top three teams will qualify for the World Cup. However, because host nation Germany and the winners of the 2025 continental championships already have automatic qualification, 11 teams will progress from the qualifying tournaments to the World Cup.
Sports
Xabi Alonso reaches agreement to become Liverpool manager
Alonso has long been viewed as a perfect candidate for the Liverpool job due to his strong ties with the club and his growing reputation as one of Europe’s most promising tacticians.
° Xabi Alonso
Former Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has reached an agreement with Liverpool to become the club’s next manager.
According to Spanish outlet OK Diario, Liverpool are considering a three-year deal for the Spaniard. The proposed agreement would run for three seasons.
Alonso has long been viewed as a perfect candidate for the Liverpool job due to his strong ties with the club and his growing reputation as one of Europe’s most promising tacticians.
The Spaniard spent five seasons at Anfield between 2004 and 2009, winning the Champions League in 2005 and becoming a fan favourite during one of the most memorable periods in the club’s history.
His coaching achievements with Bayer 04 Leverkusen have further enhanced his reputation, placing him among the most sought-after young managers in European football.
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