World Athletics has rejected Nigerian sprint star Favour Ofili’s attempt to switch international allegiance to Turkey, dealing a significant blow to her plans ahead of the 2028 Olympic cycle.
In a ruling delivered by its Nationality Review Panel, the governing body dismissed the application submitted by the Türkiye Athletics Federation, stating:
“The Application… to transfer allegiance from NGR to TUR is not approved.”
Wider Crackdown on Athlete Recruitment
The decision is part of a broader clampdown by World Athletics on what it described as a coordinated recruitment effort by Turkey involving multiple elite athletes.
High-profile names linked to similar applications include Brigid Kosgei, Ronald Kwemoi, and Jaydon Hibbert.
Officials warned that approving such transfers could undermine the integrity of international competitions, weaken grassroots development in athletes’ home countries, and encourage nationality switches driven primarily by financial incentives rather than genuine national ties.
Ofili’s Frustration with Nigerian System
Ofili had publicly announced her intention to change allegiance in September 2025, citing long-standing issues with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria and the Nigeria Olympic Committee.
Her grievances stem from a series of administrative failures, including Nigeria’s widely criticized disqualification of several athletes from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to testing compliance issues, as well as her omission from the 100m event at the Paris 2024 Olympics following registration errors.
Despite securing Turkish citizenship and a club contract, the panel ruled that her individual case did not outweigh broader regulatory concerns.
Eligibility Remains Open for Nigeria
Following the ruling, Ofili remains eligible to represent Nigeria in international competitions and is also free to continue living and training in Turkey.
The AFN has reportedly signaled openness to reintegrating the 23-year-old sprinter, offering a potential pathway for reconciliation.
Immediate Return to Competition
Ofili wasted no time returning to action, clocking 22.46 seconds to finish third in the 200m at the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational in Gainesville, Florida.
The performance reaffirms her position as Nigeria’s leading 200m athlete, having consistently topped national rankings since 2021 and holding the country’s record of 21.96 seconds in the event.
Turkey Set for CAS Appeal
Turkey is expected to challenge the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, with an appeal reportedly imminent.
Jamaican sports lawyer Emir Crowne questioned the process, suggesting multiple cases may have been grouped together rather than assessed individually, a move he described as “slightly irregular.”
Spotlight on Nigeria’s Talent Retention Issues
The controversy once again highlights Nigeria’s struggles with athlete management and retention.
The country endured a disappointing outing at the Paris 2024 Olympics, failing to secure a medal, while peers such as Algeria, Uganda, and South Africa achieved podium success.
Critics argue that systemic governance issues continue to push top talent abroad, pointing to cases like Annette Echikunwoke, who successfully switched allegiance to the United States.
Uncertain Path Ahead for Ofili
With the CAS appeal pending, Ofili’s immediate future remains uncertain. She must now navigate regulatory hurdles while maintaining her competitive form on the track.
Whether she ultimately represents Nigeria or Turkey or remains in limbo, her situation raises broader questions about athlete mobility, governance, and the integrity of international representation in modern athletics.
As one agent involved in the process noted:
“Athletes in the past have been approved, and now all of a sudden, these ones aren’t.”
