Ofili and Chukwuma may miss Budapest as AFN insists on 'No Trials, No World Championships'

Sprints sensations Favour Ofili and Rosemary Chukwuma may miss the World Championships in Budapest as the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) insists on its 'No Trials, No World Championships' rule.

The 2023 Nigeria Trials, held on July 5th - 7th at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin, was organised by the AFN to select the best-qualified athletes expected to don the country's colours in Budapest.

Big names such as World Record (WR) holder Tobi Amusan, long jump queen Ese Brume, men's Shot Put National Record holder Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, African Record holder in the women's Discus event Chioma Onyekwere and several top names were present.

Surprisingly, notably missing are Ofili (Nigerian leader in the 200m with 22.58s) and Chukwuma (Nigerian leader in the 100m with 11.01s).

Both have qualified for Budapest but with the insistence of AFN's 'No Trials, No World Championships', the duo may miss out.

According to the AFN's vice-president Tafida Gadzama, he said that athletes who failed to be present for the trials disrespected not just the federation but their fellow athletes.

"The AFN issued a statement days to the championships that athletes must participate in our championships which served as the trials for the World Championships to be eligible for selection," said Gadzama.

"Albeit I was not privy to the decision like majority of our members on the board of AFN, I however feel athletes should not only respect the federation and their country but also their fellow athletes.

"This is the greatest disrespect you can show to your fellow athletes. I was once an athlete and during our time, the rule was forcefully enforced. I will resist any attempt by any external body to influence the President into making a U-turn that will portray the rest of us as lily-livered, as dogs that can only bark but not bite," said the Sydney Olympics gold medal winner.

Another athlete that is likely to be hit with this hammer is Ifeanyi Ojeli (men's 4x400m).