US-based sprinter Favour Ashe alleges sabotage after missing bib costs him chance at gold in dramatic Gateway Games finale

Team Edo and Team Delta shared the spoils in Saturday’s 100-metre finals at the 22nd National Sports Festival, but not without controversy that has left the athletics community divided over what many are calling one of the most dramatic disqualifications in recent Nigerian sports history.

Edo’s Ezeaku Claims Men’s Crown

Chidera Ezeaku of Team Edo stormed to victory in the men’s 100m final, clocking 10.27 seconds at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta. The 20-year-old athlete defeated a strong field that included Tokyo Olympics finalist Enoch Adegoke, who finished second, with Rivers State’s Emmanuel Taiwo claiming bronze.

“I can say that I was well prepared for the sports festival,” Ezeaku said after his victory. “What I need to win the race is to get good from the blocks and maintain the first 60 seconds and off I go”. The young sprinter has now set his sights on representing Nigeria at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Japan.

Ashe Disqualification Triggers Protest

However, the men’s final was overshadowed by the dramatic disqualification of favourite Favour Ashe, the US-based sprinter who holds the fastest 100m time by a Nigerian this year at 10.01 seconds. Ashe, representing Team Delta, was prevented from competing after officials determined he was wearing only one bib instead of the required two.

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The disqualification sparked immediate controversy, with Team Delta filing a formal protest with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), alleging that Ashe was “unjustly stopped to pave the way for other athletes to win the title”.

Speaking to reporters after the incident, Ashe alleged foul play, claiming his second bib had mysteriously disappeared from his bag. “The problem started even before the semifinal, when I discovered that one of my bibs had suddenly disappeared from my bag,” he explained. “I am sure someone deliberately took it from my bag just to create a problem for me”.

Officials Defend Decision

Competition rules require athletes to wear two bibs—one on the front and one on the back of their vest. According to Ashe, he had informed officials about the missing bib before both the semifinal and final, and had initially been cleared to compete.

A competition official who witnessed the incident offered a different perspective, revealing that the Director General of the Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, ultimately made the decision to disqualify Ashe after the athlete admitted fault. “When he was about to run, the DG came down and asked him directly: ‘Whose fault?’ Ashe admitted, ‘It’s my fault.’ Then Olopade said, ‘If it is your fault, then disqualify him,'” the official explained.

Delta Dominates Women’s Event

In the women’s 100m final, Kate Odumosu delivered gold for Team Delta, winning in 11.43 seconds. However, her victory was marred by a medical emergency when she collapsed immediately after crossing the finish line, requiring quick intervention from medical personnel at the stadium.

Success Umokoro finished second in 11.55 seconds, while Iyanuoluwa Bada of host state Ogun claimed bronze in 11.58 seconds.

Looking Ahead

The controversy surrounding Ashe’s disqualification has cast a shadow over what should have been a celebration of Nigerian athletics talent. As the Paris Olympics semifinalist considers his next move, the incident raises questions about competition procedures and the handling of technical infractions at Nigeria’s premier sporting event.

Meanwhile, Ezeaku’s emergence as Nigeria’s new sprint king provides a positive storyline, as the young athlete looks to build on his National Sports Festival success on the international stage.

The Gateway Games continue at the MKO Abiola Stadium, with athletics officials hoping to avoid further controversies as competition progresses through the week.