By Ernest Osogbue
I was embarrassed recently when watching the president of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, Tonobok Okowa, on the American sports network channel, ESPN, as he discussed the defection of Nigerian sprinter Favor Ofili. Responding to questions about the athlete, Okowa attributed her defection to monetary inducements by Turkish authorities. I felt bad hearing such from a responsible official charged with the management of young athletes. Throughout the interview, Okowa failed to take responsibility for any of the issues leading up to the defection of Ofili. He heaped the entire blame on the head of a 22 year old athlete.
It was then I realized that until Nigeria engaged the right caliber of persons to manage our sportsmen and women, we shall remain far from achieving our potential. President Tinubu could do all he can to motivate young people to go out and represent Nigeria with dignity and honor, but until the officials charged with managing them live up to expectations, his efforts would largely be in vain. It is obvious that the actions and inactions of the AFN and NOC officials mostly contributed to Ofili deciding to turn her back on Nigeria. While I do not support athletes dumping their country of birth for whatever reasons, it is important to show understanding when the odds become overwhelming. There was clear evidence of negligence on the part of the AFN and the NOC at the Olympic Games in Paris, leading to Ofili not competing in the 100m. Not only that, at the 2020 Games in Tokyo, the same scenario manifested, leading to Ofili and a number of other Nigerian athletes failing to participate in their events.
Okowa maintained that the athletes were variously responsible for the Tokyo saga and that he was actually not in charge at the time. What a way to demonstrate leadership. Okowa completely absolved himself and his board as well as the NOC of any blame in the entire Ofili debacle, maintaining that Ofili is an adult. Wow! Yes, Ofili is an adult at 22 years. I wonder if Okowa would accept and absolve himself of any responsibility if his 22 year old daughter were to make an error. Not minding the fact that Ofili was only 18 at the Tokyo Games.
After the Paris Games, a ministerial committee set up by the federal government, made certain recommendations concerning the athlete and some officials of the AFN. How far did Okowa go in implementing those recommendations? Nneka Echikunwoke, the hammer thrower, who was also a victim of the Tokyo fiasco, now represents the USA after she left Nigeria in frustration. Was money equally responsible for her decision? Okowa’s attitude represents a recurring decimal in Nigerian sports, where officials mostly deflect on their errors and refuse to be accountable. To them, the investments on the athletes by Nigeria mean nothing for as long as they receive their allowances for jobs not done.
Echikunwoke won silver for the USA in Paris, while the entire team Nigeria didn’t win a medal. Yet, Okowa could brazenly tell the world that Ofili dumped Nigeria because of Turkish money. It took a Nigerian journalist, who was in Paris to comfort Ofili, after she finished 6th in the 200m final in a time of 22.24 seconds and broke down. Neither an AFN official nor an NOC official was in sight, as the emotional toll of the entire saga became too much for her young shoulder. What a way to treat a young, promising athlete.
In an interview immediately after the Paris Games with BSN Sports, an Abuja based journal, an official of the AFN, who pleaded anonymity, blasted Ofili. He dismissed her threats of defection, citing the World Athletics stipulation of a three year hiatus for any athlete wishing to switch allegiance as a reason why Ofili would stay. Furthermore, according to him, there were available replacements for Ofili if she were to leave.
These are comments from officials charged with discovering and nurturing athletes for Nigeria. No compassion, no accountability, a complete lack of emotional intelligence, and an understanding of their jobs. At 22, Ofili still needs a hand around her shoulders when things go wrong. Someone who cares and understands. In fact, a mentor and a safe pillar to lean on for support when the going gets tough. From all indications, Tonobok Okowa and his entire board members could not and were not ready to provide that safe space, the conducive atmosphere, and a place of comfort, and understanding for Ofili to excel. Money or no money, this is the overriding reason why the young woman turned her back on her country.
Okowa can grandstand all he wants. The fact remains that he and his board failed woefully and are culpable in the Ofili saga. It is about time that officials begin to be held responsible when athletes defect. It is not enough for Nigeria to accept their doctored reports. Nigeria invested in Ofili’s development, and just when the country is about to reap the rewards, officials force her to defect. An investigation should be conducted to uncover the obvious and remote reasons for her defection, and if anyone is implicated, appropriate sanctions should be applied. It would serve as a warning to officials that they are responsible for training, nurturing, and the emotional wellbeing of the athletes under their charge.
The chairman National Sports Commission, NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, the Director General General, Bukola Olopade, and Chief Sunday Dare, former sports minister, and current Special Adviser to the president on Communications and Orientation should kindly take the necessary steps to forestall the defection of more athletes. Ebelechukwu Agbapuonwu (Salwa Eid Naser) is doing well for Bahrain, Annette Nneka Echikunwoke is also doing well for the USA. Their victories are supposed to be for Nigeria. The defections of Gloria Alozie, Francis Obikwelu, Femi Ogunode, and many others were never investigated. That is why AFN officials believe that they can treat Nigerian talents (assets) with disdain and get away with it.
