Athletics

Nigeria: ‘We Will not Cease Her’ – AFN Reacts to Ofili’s Reported Change to Turkey

Mr Okowa clarified that neither Ofili nor World Athletics has formally communicated the swap to the federation.

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) says it’s “shocked and heartbroken” over stories that Nigerian dash sensation, Favour Ofili, has switched her worldwide allegiance to Turkey.

AFN President Tonobok Okowa advised journalists on Sunday that the federation first heard in regards to the growth via the media, identical to each different Nigerian.

“Similar to each different sports-loving particular person in Nigeria, on the continent and past, I and the newly elected board learn and heard her need to vary nationality from the media,” Mr Okowa stated. “If that is true, it’s unhappy, disheartening and painful.”

In response to earlier stories by PREMIUM TIMES, Jamaican-based journalist Kayon Raynor broke the information Saturday evening on his X deal with, citing sources from TVJ Information Centre. “Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili has switched allegiance to Turkey as of Might 31, 2025,” Raynor posted.

“In response to TVJ Information Centre sources, 22-year-old Ofili has suggested the Athletics Integrity Unit of her frustration with the Nigerian Athletics Federation.”

Ofili reportedly advised the AIU that she missed the Tokyo 2020 Olympics as a result of the Nigerian authorities failed to verify the required variety of doping management exams.

Extra just lately, she was not entered for the 100m on the Paris 2024 Olympics, regardless of being one of many nation’s quickest sprinters.

Though she competed within the 200m and reached the ultimate, ending sixth, the exclusion from her most popular occasion additional strained her relationship with Nigerian officers.

“It’s additional understood that Ofili impressed upon the AIU that her swap to Turkey was not for monetary causes,” Raynor reported.

Regardless of these developments, Mr Okowa clarified that neither Ofili nor World Athletics has formally communicated the swap to the federation.

He emphasised that the Tokyo 2020 debacle occurred earlier than his administration started.

“The preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics had been deliberate and concluded by the previous board and the Sports activities Ministry, in affiliation with the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC). We had no hand in the entire affair and build-up to the Video games,” he stated.

Wide selection efforts

Highlighting the efforts made throughout his tenure, Mr Okowa defined, “Have a look at the variety of exams the AFN performed underneath my watch–we funded sixty per cent of the exams carried out earlier than the Paris Video games. There have been no doping violations or something of the type.”

He additionally revealed that Ofili had already obtained her coaching grant for the 12 months, additional underlining the federation’s dedication to supporting her.

Nevertheless, all efforts to reconnect with the athlete have reportedly failed.

“She is a promising athlete with large potential,” Mr Okowa stated. “She has prevented the Federation from reaching her, and all efforts to heal the injuries attributable to the 100m Paris Olympic Video games omission have proved abortive.”

“From the strikes we now have been making to get her absolutely ready and again to the large athletics household and her response, it is also clear that she had been making ready and dealing on her new-found Turkish love. She is sufficiently old to resolve what’s greatest for her, however it’s painful and exhausting to take for us. Nevertheless, we is not going to cease her–she continues to be our youngster, sister and daughter,” the AFN President added.

Regardless of being visibly disillusioned, the AFN pressured that it might not stand in Ofili’s means. “Plenty of Athletics Federation of Nigeria officers are heartbroken in regards to the matter, however they won’t oppose Ofili’s want to change her colors,” the federation stated in a follow-up assertion.

“Troublesome athlete”

Nevertheless, AFN officers expressed frustrations over her previous conduct, accusing the athlete of being “troublesome to take care of.” In response to them, “Regardless of our personal inadequacies, on a number of events she shunned the nationwide trials and even when she got here, she chosen the occasions she most popular to compete in.”

The assertion additional alleged that on the 2024 African Championships in Cameroon, Ofili withdrew from the 100m after taking part within the heats, citing poor competitors situations.

She additionally failed to look for the final African Video games in Accra, Ghana. “Little question Ofili is one in every of our greatest athletes in latest instances, however she is troublesome to take care of,” the federation stated.

Nonetheless, the AFN prolonged its goodwill. “We want her properly in no matter she is doing and wherever she goes.”

Not but official

At present, World Athletics nonetheless lists Ofili as a Nigerian athlete. Beneath Rule 4.4.2 of the World Athletics Eligibility Guidelines, an athlete who has beforehand represented a rustic in a Nationwide Consultant or Different Related Competitors, such because the Olympics, should observe a three-year ready interval earlier than being eligible to compete for a brand new nation.

Since Ofili ran for Nigeria on the Paris Olympics, her swap to Turkey is not going to be acknowledged till at the very least 2028–unless a waiver is granted.

In response to Rule 4.6, a waiver could also be thought-about in “distinctive circumstances.” The Nationality Evaluate Panel might take into account components corresponding to systemic mismanagement by the previous federation, athlete welfare, and whether or not the athlete has a real connection to the brand new nation. Ofili’s cited frustrations and ongoing silence might point out that such a waiver might be requested, however approval will not be assured.