By MUHYIDEEN JIMOH

The investigative panel set up to address Team Nigeria’s negative exposure at the Paris 2024 Olympics/Paralympic Games, has recommended the payment of N8 million ($5,000) symbolic compensation to Favour Ofili.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee was set up by then Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh to unravel Nigeria’s scandalous showing at the Olympics.

According to the Chairman of the committee, Mumini Alao, the report was submitted to Enoh on Oct. 22, with new National Sports Commission Chairman, Shehu Dikko, approving its release.

In a major scandal, Nigerian athlete, Ofili was denied the opportunity to compete in the women’s 100m at the Olympics, in spite of qualifying for the event.

In a 54-page document, the committee highlighted the conflicting evidence regarding Ofili’s omission from the event, pointing to potential lapses by officials from the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).

It said AFN Secretary General Rita Mosindi and Technical Director, Samuel Onikeku should be sanctioned for their roles in Ofili’s omission, andadvised the athlete to improve her conduct.

The committee also recommended a code of governance for the NOC and the Sports ministry (now NSC).

It also demanded an apology from cyclist Ese Ukpeseraye, who caused public outrage.

She revealed that she was bailed out by the Germans in one of her events as she did not have the appropriate bicycle to participate.

The committee advised the Federal Government to provide better and more timely funding for athletes, and called for improved testing for performance-enhancing drugs. (NAN)