An investigative committee set up by the Federal Government has stated that the inactions of some officials of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria were responsible for Favour Ofili’s non-registration for the women’s 100-meter race at the Paris Olympics.

The PUNCH reports that Nigeria failed to win any medals at the end of the 2024 Paris Olympics, held between the 26th of July, and the 11th of August, 2024.

Added to the failure to secure any medals were the controversies, including the exclusion of Ofili from the Women’s 100m race, and the revelation by Ese Ukpeseraye that she had to borrow a track bike from the German team to compete.

In its report made available to journalists on Monday, the Committee Chairman, Mumini Alao, stated that the omission of Ofili’s name was traceable to the following organisations: the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, the Nigeria Olympic Committee, World Athletics, and the International Olympic Committee.

The committee also mentioned that the Secretary General of the AFN, Rita Mosindi, was “Negligent in her duty of communicating to the Ministry of Sports Development and the Nigeria Olympic Committee information about Ofili’s event status in a reliable and timely manner.”

The committee also faulted Samuel Onikeku, AFN Technical Director, who it said demonstrated “poor judgment” by failing to act on a “hint” of Ofili’s non-registration for the 100m event, adding that the situation may have been saved had Onikeku reported or acted on the information.

The report recommended that the officials be penalised by appropriate authorities and that the AFN should pay the sum of N8 million to Ofili for “the disappointment and depression that she suffered on account of her omission”.

In the case of Ese Ukpeseraye, the Committee asked the athlete to write a formal apology to the Nigerian Cycling Federation, and the Nigerian contingent for the embarrassment caused on account of her X (formerly Twitter) post which stated she had to borrow a track bike.

“The cyclist, Ese Ukpeseraye, should write a formal apology to the Nigeria Cycling Federation (NCF) for the embarrassment that she caused the Federation and the Nigerian contingent to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on account of the unauthorised post that she made on social media, X (formerly Twitter) about the bicycle that she used for the Cycling track event at the Olympics”, the post read.

The committee had submitted its report to the defunct Ministry of Sports Development on October 22, a day before President Tinubu scrapped the Ministry, transferring its functions and responsibilities to the National Sports Commission, chaired by Shehu Dikko.

Ahmed Musa scored the winning goal as Kano Pillars rallied to beat Plateau United 2-1 on Sunday.

Plateau United took the lead through Gafar Saka on 66 minutes.

Rabiu Ali equalised for Pillars 13 minutes from time, while Musa fired home the winning goal in stoppage time

In Lagos, Rivers United lost for the first time in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, this season, going down to a 2-0 defeat against Ikorodu City.

Ayomide Cole gave Ikorodu City the lead three minutes after the break.

Rivio Ayemnwere doubled the advantage eight minutes later.

Elsewhere, holders Rangers claimed a 2-0 win over Nasarawa United at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.

Last season’s top scorer, Godwin Obaje, scored both goals for the Flying Antelopes.

FULL RESULTS

Rangers 2-0 Nasarawa Utd

Kano Pillars 1-0 Plateau Utd

Sunshine Stars 1-2 Insurance

Abia Warriors 0-1 Heartland

Bayelsa Utd 1-1 Enyimba

Ikorodu City 2-0 Rivers Utd

Tornadoes 1-0 3SC

Akwa Utd 2-1 Kwara Utd

Remo Stars 1-0 Lobi

FT El-Kanemi 1-0 Katsina Utd

Moises Caicedo’s strike denied Manchester United victory in their first Premier League game since sacking Erik ten Hag as Chelsea claimed a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.

Interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, who will be replaced by Ruben Amorim later his month, sprinted down the touchline in celebration after Bruno Fernandes put United in front from the penalty spot 20 minutes from time.

Caicedo quickly replied for the Blues, who edge above Arsenal on goal different into fourth.

A point leaves United still down in 13th, six points off the top four.

Amorim was not in attendance as he prepares to take charge of Sporting Lisbon for the one of the final times against Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday.

United were far more competitive than in 3-0 demolitions by Liverpool and Tottenham at home this season, but showed many of the same flaws that cost Ten Hag his job.

Van Nistelrooy enjoyed a 5-2 demolition of an under-strength Leicester in his first match in charge to reach the League Cup quarter-finals in midweek.

Still a hero among the United fans from his days as a prolific striker, the Dutchman’s name was chanted in a buoyant pre-match atmosphere.

However, a Chelsea side that have lost once in nine Premier League games, provided a much stiffer test for a United side still short on confidence.

Noni Madueke came closest to opening the scoring for Chelsea in the first-half when he headed Cole Palmer’s corner off the post.

It took United time to find their feet as an attacking force but they were unfortunate not to go in front just before half-time.

Marcus Rashford hit the crossbar with a cushioned volley in the last action of a disappointing first 45 minutes from both sides.

Pedro Neto’s burst of pace nearly gave Chelsea a dream start to the second period but the Portuguese winger’s shot flew just past the far post.

The Blues remain overly reliant on Palmer for inspiration.

The boyhood United fan, who began his career at Manchester City before joining Chelsea last year, was kept quiet by Van Nistelrooy’s pairing of Casemiro alongside Manuel Ugarte in midfield.

Before kick-off only Southampton had scored fewer than United’s eight Premier League goals in nine games this season.

The lack of efficiency in front of goal that Ten Hag often bemoaned was in evidence again.

Garnacho wasted a glorious chance to open the scoring from Fernandes’ cut-back with a tame effort that looped into the arms of Sanchez.

United were gifted the chance to break the deadlock when Robert Sanchez clipped Rasmus Hojlund inside the box.

Fernandes kept his cool to send the Spanish international goalkeeper the wrong way and spark wild celebrations from Van Nistelrooy.

United’s joy was short-lived as Chelsea hit back within four minutes.

A corner was only cleared to the edge of the box, where Caicedo connected a sweet strike to fire into the bottom corner.

Chelsea should have struck again moments later when substitute Enzo Fernandez spooned over with Andre Onana stranded.

It was United who came closest in a frantic finale when Garnacho’s acrobatic effort flew just over.

AFP