Favour Ofili: Nigerian Sprinter Switches Allegiance to Represent European Country
- Favour Ofili has switched allegiance to represent Turkey, putting an end to her troubled times with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria
- Due to administrative errors, the incredible athlete was disqualified from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and was omitted from the Paris 2024 sprints
- She took to social media to announce her career-saving move, citing her pride in past achievements for the African nation
CHECK OUT: How to Start Earning with Copywriting in Just 7 Days – Even if You’re a Complete Beginner
Incredible Nigerian athlete Favour Ofili has confirmed that she has switched allegiance to represent Turkey.
This brings an end to her lingering feud with officials of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.
Recall that the sprinter was ruled out of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after the Nigerian federation failed to meet the minimum out-of-competition drug-testing requirements, which were set by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).
Source: Getty Images
At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Ofili was informed of her omission from the 100m heats because the Nigerian authorities had not registered her.
The athlete vowed to move on to salvage her career, and after several turbulent months, she has confirmed her switch to represent Turkey.
The 22-year-old wrote on Instagram:
"Wrapping up my 2025 season has been a whirlwind of new experiences and big decisions. Racing back-to-back across amazing cities and learning from the best has been incredible.
"As some of you have heard, I’m also starting a new chapter representing Turkey. I am proud to have represented Nigeria for many years in a highly successful way!
"Having won SIX gold medals, TWO silver medals and TWO bronze medals in championship meets and a 200 meter Olympic finalist while experiencing the biggest disappointment from AFN and NOC For their negligence towards me in two Olympic (Tokyo/Paris).
"I have made this decision.. While that means sitting out this year’s championship in Tokyo, this change comes from the heart, not from financial motives.
"I’m truly grateful to have discovered a new home in Turkey, I’m excited for what’s ahead and grateful for all the support I got from my coach, agent, sponsor."
Earlier, the president of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Tonobok Okowa, disclosed that Nigeria will continue to lose elite athletes due to poor funding.
He confirmed that Ofili has moved on and warned that more will follow if there are no changes in the financial situation for the stars, per Thisday.
Okowa added that several countries in Europe have stepped up efforts to recruit foreign talent, offering substantial incentives.
Source: Getty Images
The development comes just months before the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, raising questions about her eligibility under World Athletics’ nationality rules.
NSC compensates Ofili
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Nigerian Sports Commission found the Athletics Federation of Nigeria guilty in the Favour Ofili case during the Paris 2024 Olympics and compensated the athlete.
The AFN was ordered to pay the athlete a sum of ₦8,000,000 (about $5,000) as compensation “for the disappointment and depression that she suffered on account of her omission from the women’s 100 meters event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games”.
Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
