World Athletics has rejected an application by Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili to switch her sporting allegiance from Nigeria to Turkey, dealing a major setback to her hopes of representing the European country at the 2028 Olympic Games.
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The decision was announced on Thursday in a ruling by the World Athletics Nationality Review Panel, which stated that the request submitted by the Türkiye Athletics Federation did not meet the regulatory requirements governing nationality transfers in international athletics.
“The application by the TAF for Favour Ofili to transfer allegiance from NGR to TUR is not approved,” the panel ruled.
The panel, comprising Donna Raynor, Cydonie Mothersill, and Susanne van Waert, said granting the request would undermine key principles guiding athlete nationality changes.
According to World Athletics, the request formed part of a broader, coordinated recruitment effort by Turkey involving multiple high-profile athletes.
The panel cited concerns over government-backed incentives, including lucrative contracts linked to a state-affiliated club, warning that such arrangements risk compromising the integrity of international competition rules, which are designed to reflect genuine national ties rather than financial inducement.
The application reportedly included several other top athletes, among them Jaydon Hibbert, Rajindra Campbell, Wayne Pinnock, Rojé Stona, and Brigid Kosgei.
Ofili had announced in September 2025 that she intended to switch allegiance to Turkey, citing persistent administrative challenges with Nigerian athletics authorities.
She alleged that negligence by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria and the Nigeria Olympic Committee had cost her opportunities at major competitions, including the Olympics in Tokyo and Paris.
The sprinter maintained that her decision was driven by a desire to “save her career,” rather than financial considerations.
Nigeria’s sports authorities, including the National Sports Commission, had earlier opposed the move, arguing that Ofili remained eligible to compete for Nigeria, partly due to a training grant she received in 2025.
There were also indications that Nigeria sought to retain her eligibility until after the 2028 Olympics.
Following the ruling, the AFN is reported to have welcomed the decision, effectively retaining Ofili as a Nigerian athlete.
The ruling means Ofili is ineligible to represent Turkey at major international competitions, including the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and World Championships.
However, she can still participate in club competitions, one-day meets, and road races, and may continue to train or reside in Turkey if she chooses.
She also retains the right to appeal the decision before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, although it is unclear whether she will pursue that option.
Despite the controversy, Ofili remains one of Nigeria’s top sprint talents. In May 2025, she recorded a world-leading time of 15.85 seconds in the women’s 150m at the Atlanta City Games.
Her situation highlights a broader tension between athletes and national federations, particularly over administrative efficiency, career management, and international mobility.
For now, the World Athletics ruling ensures that Ofili remains tied to Nigeria in official international competitions, pending any successful appeal or future regulatory review.
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