The World Athletics (WA) has ruled against Favour Ofili’s
attempt to switch national allegiance from Nigeria to Turkey.
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) announced the WA
ruling in a statement on Thursday.
The WA’s national review panel rejected Ofili’s application
because it was part of attempts by the Turkish Athletics Federation (TAF) to
“induce recruited athletes to switch nationality abruptly and primarily for
mercenary reasons.”
Ofili was one of eleven foreign athletes whose applications
were submitted by Turkey to WA for allegiance switch.
In its ruling, WA said Turkey’s recruitment process
undermines the integrity of national competitions and discourages countries
from developing homegrown talent.
The athletics governing body added that the attempt also
risks replacing local talent with imported competitors.
Ofili began the process of her nationality switch in 2025.
The 23-year-old’s decision followed her accusations of neglect and career
sabotage against AFN.
Ofili could not participate in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics
because the Nigerian Olympic authorities failed to inform her of the minimum
drug-testing requirements for competing in the event.
Another administrative error prevented Ofili from
representing Nigeria in the 100m event four years later at Paris 2024, as the
Athletics Federation of Nigeria failed to submit her name on time.
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