THE duo of Ofili Favour and Rosemary Chukwuma face the possibility of being sanctioned by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) technical department for abandoning their events at the ongoing 2024 African Senior Athletics Championships in Douala, Cameroon.
The two United States of America-based sprinters refused to show up for the semi-final of the women’s 100m on Saturday afternoon. No reason was given for their action.
Over time, both athletes have given the AFN cause for concern with their slack attitude towards competitions involving Nigeria.
At the National Championships in Benin City Chukwuma pulled out of the women’s 200m citing strained muscles.
“These two athletes are becoming something else, and it is time we let them know that they have to commit themselves to the national cause,” said a
team coach.
“Rosemary gave us a lot of problems at the World Championships in Budapest and it ultimately caused us in the relay. It is about time the AFN whip them in line”.
There was no reason given by the athletes for their DNS in the semi-final after taking part in the heats, but it may not be unconnected with the organisers’ failure to put things in proper shape for instance there was no starter’s gun. Ivorian top sprinter Marie Jose Ta Lou Smith also refused to run in the semi-final.
The AFN technical committee, it was gathered, is now looking into the circumstances surrounding Ofili and a Chukwuma’s declining to run the 100m
Meanwhile, AFN has said that the world record holder in the women’s 100m hurdles, Tobi Amusan, is responding to treatment.
Amusan withdrew from the ongoing championships due to illness. She touched down in Douala on Thursday morning alongside other members of the Nigerian contingent with no sign of illness. But she fell ill on Thursday night and that prevented her from competing in the 100m hurdles on Friday morning.
The Sports Ministry’s medical personnel attached to the AFN team to Douala advised her to take a rest.
The President of AFN, Chief Tonobok Okowa said on Saturday that there is no cause to worry about Amusan’s health, adding that the athlete is responding to treatment and will be back in training soon ahead of the Paris Olympics.
Okowa arrived in Douala on Friday evening with the new kits for the athletes and officials participating in the Championships. The athletes were full of joy wearing their new kits to compete at the Japoma Stadium.
Also, the duo of Tima Godbless and Ella Onojuvwevwo are in Douala competing in the 23rd African Athletics Championships.
“We couldn’t secure enough seats in one plane, so, we arranged for some of our athletes, including Tima Godbless, Ella Onojuvwevwo and Patience Okon George to join us in Douala. That is not to say the two athletes were ruled out of the championship,” Technical Director, Samuel Onikeku told AFN Media in Douala.
Eighteen-Eleven Media