National Sports Festival Drama: Disqualified athlete accuses officials of foul play
Nigerian Sprinter, Favour Ashe of Team Delta has accused unknown persons of foul play after he was controversially disqualified from the men’s 100 metres final at the 2024 Gateway Games – the 22nd National Sports Festival held on Saturday, May 24, at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta.
Ashe, who was representing Team Delta, was stopped from running in the final because he only wore one bib number. According to competition rules, athletes must wear two – one on the front and one on the back.
The 21-year-old sprinter, who ran the fastest 100m by a Nigerian this year (10.01 seconds), had earlier won his semi-final easily and was a favourite to win the gold medal. His absence from the final surprised many fans and raised serious questions.
Speaking to The Guardian, Ashe explained that the problem started before the semi-final when one of his bibs went missing.
“The issue began before the semi-final when I saw that one of my bibs was no longer in my bag,” he said. “But I told the officials, and they allowed me to run.”
Before the final, Ashe said he reported the problem again, and a Team Delta official used a marker to write the missing number on his vest. Ashe claimed that this was approved by the Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).
“The Technical Director gave me the go-ahead to run. But later, they changed their minds and disqualified me. I felt embarrassed. I didn’t do anything wrong. Someone clearly wanted me out, but I believe God will fight for me.”
He added, “Being removed from the final after working so hard was heartbreaking. I believe it was planned.”
With Ashe out, Team Edo’s Chidera Ezeaku won the men’s 100m final in 10.27 seconds. In the women’s race, Kate Odumoso of Team Delta took gold in 11.43 seconds but collapsed at the finish line and had to be revived by medical staff.
Meanwhile, an official at the starting area gave a different account of what happened. The official said the race was delayed to give Ashe time to sort out the bib issue. But things changed when Hon. Bukola Olopade, Director General of the Sports Commission and head of the Main Organising Committee, got involved.
“We delayed the race to give Ashe a chance to fix things. But the DG came and asked him, ‘Whose fault is it?’ Ashe said, ‘It’s my fault.’ Then Olopade said, ‘If it’s your fault, disqualify him.’ He wasn’t trying to interfere – he actually tried to help,” the official said.
The official also added that Ashe failed to go through the call room before the final, which may have made the situation worse.
“If he had reported to the call room, all this could have been avoided,” the source said.
