An Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN) official has said Nigeria athlete, Favour Ofili, can change country if she cannot respect authority.
The AFN official, who spoke to The Guardian in confidence, said the athletics body has tolerated Favour Ofili for too long.
He accused Ofili of refusing to stay in the same camp with other athletes including Tobi Amusan.
The official further alleged that Ofili refused to come to AFN National Trials where athletes were picked for 2023 World Championship in Budapest.
He added that Ofili preferred taking orders from her US coach to Nigeria crew.
He said, “Ofili is fast becoming an uncontrollable athlete for the AFN. There are certain things we have been trying to keep away from the public concerning Ofili.
“At the World Athletics Championships in Oregon, United States in 2022, Ofili refused to stay with other Nigerian athletes in our camp that had bigger athletes like Tobi Amusan, Ese Brume and others. She moved into a hotel with her coach. We tolerated her.
“Ofili did not come to Nigeria for the AFN National Trials, where athletes were picked for the 2023 World Championships in Budapest. We tolerated her.
“Even at the championships in Budapest, Ofili refused to train with other Nigerian athletes to perfect their baton exchange.
“She insisted on taking instruction only from her American coach. Our 4x100m relay team eventually lost the ticket to the final due to poor baton exchange between Ofili and Rosemary Chukwuma. We tolerated her.
“In our National Trials ahead of the African Games in Ghana, Ofili refused to show up and she did not bother to come for the Games in Accra. We tolerated her.
“The biggest disappointment Ofili gave to Nigeria was her refusal to compete in the semifinal of the 100m at the 23rd African Senior Championships in Douala, Cameroon, in July this year.
“Our immediate reaction was to stop her and Rosemary Chukwuma, who also stayed away from her 100m semifinal event, from making the team to the Paris Olympics.
“But the Sports Minister, John Owan Enoh, invited them to his hotel, in Douala, for discussion even without our knowledge. It became difficult for the AFN to wield the big stick against them.”
He further said Ofili who was not enlisted to take path in the 100-meter race in the last 2024 Paris Olympics can change her nationality if she wishes.
The official noted that AFN would not have difficulty getting her replacement from the country’s talents. He alleged that Ofili’s “unruly” behaviour was also spreading to other athletes.
“Nobody in the AFN is saying that Ofili should change her nationality to another country, but if she is desperate to go, no one can stop her.
“What I want Nigerians to know is that Ofili’s unruly behaviour is fast spreading to some other athletes, and if care is not taken, the AFN might lose control of the athletes, and that will be catastrophic for Nigeria.
“As I said, we have other capable athletes, who can fill the space if Ofili decides to go. It is better we have a team with disciplined athletes, than to parade a squad laced with undisciplined athletes,” the official added.
As of the time of filing this report, Favour Ofili has yet to respond to the allegations made the AFN official.
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