Nigeria’s fastest sprinter, Favour Ashe has accused unknown individuals of foul play after being controversially disqualified from the men’s 100 metres final at the 2024 Gateway Games – the 22nd National Sports Festival held at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta on Saturday.
Ashe, representing Team Delta, was denied the chance to compete in the final after showing up with only one bib number, a breach of competition rules that require two – one on the chest and another on the back.
The 21-year-old, who clocked the fastest 100m time by a Nigerian this year (10.01s), had earlier cruised through the semi-final and was widely tipped to take gold. His absence from the final shocked fans and raised eyebrows.
Speaking to The Guardian after the incident, Ashe said the issue began when one of his bibs mysteriously vanished before the semi-final.
“The problem started even before the semi-final when I discovered that one of my bibs had suddenly disappeared from my bag,” he said. “But I explained the situation to the officials, and they allowed me to run.”
According to Ashe, he alerted officials again before the final, and in line with regulations, a Team Delta official used a marker to write the missing number on his vest. Ashe claims this was approved by the Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).
“Even the Technical Director cleared me to run the race. But suddenly, they changed their stance and disqualified me. I felt humiliated. I did nothing wrong. Someone clearly wanted me out, but my God will fight for me.”
“My disqualification after working hard to reach the final was clearly planned. It was painful,” he added.
Team Edo’s Chidera Ezeaku went on to claim gold in the men’s 100m with a time of 10.27 seconds, while Kate Odumoso, also of Team Delta, won the women’s final in 11.43 seconds, but collapsed immediately after and was revived by medics.
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A competition official present at the starter’s area offered a different version of events. According to the source, race officials delayed the start to give Ashe time to resolve the issue. But the situation changed when Hon. Bukola Olopade, Director General of the Sports Commission and Chair of the Main Organising Committee, intervened.
“We used delay tactics so Ashe could sort it out. But the DG came and asked him, ‘Whose fault?’ Ashe said, ‘It’s my fault.’ Then Olopade said, ‘If it’s your fault, disqualify him.’ It was not interference – he tried to help,” the official claimed.
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The official also revealed that Ashe did not go through the call room prior to the final – a procedural misstep that may have compounded the issue.
“If he had reported to the call room, all this could have been avoided.”
Ashe’s disqualification has sparked intense debate over athlete treatment and race-day protocol at the Games. Despite the controversy, the sprinter remains optimistic and vowed to come back stronger.
