By Joel Ajayi
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has justified the disqualification of Team Delta’s Favour Ashe from the 100m final at the 22nd National Sports Festival, held on Saturday at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta.
Reports indicate that Ashe, a U.S.-based medal hopeful, was disqualified due to an alleged infraction involving the use of an incorrect competition bib.
Speaking during an interactive session with journalists on Sunday in Abeokuta, NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko addressed the controversy and clarified the decision made by the Local Organizing Committee (LOC).
The 21-year-old sprinter was among the favourites to win the event, having clocked the fastest 100m time in Nigeria this year at 10.01 seconds. He had also won his semi-final heat to qualify for the final.
In his defense, Ashe claimed that he had duly informed the organisers about the missing bib prior to the final race.
“I ran with one bib in the semi-finals, but why disqualify me now?” Ashe questioned.
However, Dikko maintained that the rules were clear and must be applied uniformly to all athletes regardless of their status or potential.
“It’s a standard rule applicable to every competitor. There is no room for special treatment,” Dikko stated.
